District connector road and trail (ARC)

The Federal Highway Administration awarded Pennsylvania Department of Transportation $400,000 on May 19, 2026, under the Appalachian Development Highway System (CFDA 20.229), a formula grant program to fund development highways and access roads within a 13-state Appalachian region.

The award funds construction of a district connector road and trail at the 19th Street Gateway Connector and Riverfront District Connector Road in Sharpsburg Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The Allegheny Shores Local Access Road project addresses historic infrastructural barriers that have prevented waterfront corridor access and deterred redevelopment in Sharpsburg Borough, a waterfront community of approximately 3,500 residents located five miles outside Pittsburgh. A railroad line operated by Norfolk Southern Railway Company physically divides the borough and isolates residents from the waterfront. The project will develop access to a 30-acre waterfront property (Allegheny Shores), which accounts for 11.5 percent of the borough's land and represents the last remaining tract available for development along the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania.

Performance extends through June 20, 2030, with work occurring in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, a division of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, receives the award as the formula grant recipient and serves as the primary implementor of federal transportation infrastructure funding across Pennsylvania's highway system.

Project description

Construction of a district connector road and trail at the 19TH street gateway connector and riverfront district connector road, in sharpsburg borough, allegheny county. The purpose of the allegheny shores local access road project ('project') is to address historic infrastructural barriers that have prevented residents from accessing the waterfront corridor and long-deterred redevelopment opportunities. Located five miles outside downtown pittsburgh, sharpsburg borough is small waterfront community that is home to approximately 3,500 residents. In the 1920S, sharpsburg borough was divided into two sections following construction of a new railroad, which is now operated by norfolk southern railway company ('nsrc'). The rail line physically isolates residents and prevents direct access to the waterfront. Over the last century, what was once a vibrant and bustling community has faced a continued state of decline. Today, the borough boasts pride of its industrial past while looking forward to the opportunities of economic growth. Sharpsburg borough is seeking to rebuild its economy by tapping into its greatest asset - a 30-acre waterfront property known as allegheny shores. The waterfront property accounts for 11.5% of the total land in the borough. Allegheny shores is the last remaining tract of land along the allegheny river in western pennsylvania available for new development. The project will address access issues associated with infrastructure built during the peak interstate and rail construction ERA that have since caused inequitable displacement, auto dependence, and barriers to opportunity.