filed under: feasibility studies
Update of the July 1999 Feasibility Study
The Sheepskin Trail, a rail-trail project is a proposed 34 mile bicycle/pedestrian path that will extend from Dunbar Township to Point Marion Borough at the Pennsylvania/West Virginia state line. The intent of this study update is to utilize and update the 1999 Feasibility Study as necessary based on changes to the trail corridor that have occurred in the past 18 years.
The Sheepskin Trail, a rail-trail project is a proposed 34 mile bicycle/pedestrian path that will extend from Dunbar Township to Point Marion Borough at the Pennsylvania/West Virginia state line. In 1996, Fayette County received a planning grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and selected Mackin Engineering to conduct a trail feasibility study. A major study goal was to define and assess the potential trail route. In July 1999 Mackin submitted the ‘Sheepskin Trail Final Feasibility Study’ to Fayette County. The 1999 Feasibility Study produced evidence that the Sheepskin Trail was a viable project.
In 2014, Fayette County executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Road Heritage Corridor (NRHC) for the NRHC to become the management entity for the development and construction of the Sheepskin Trail. As manager of trail development the NRHC hired Gibson-Thomas to update the 1999 Feasibility Study. A study update is necessary due to the length of time since the original study was completed, changes in land use/ownership and potential impact of the Marcellus Shale industry on proposed and alternate routes. The intent of this study update is to utilize and update the 1999 Feasibility Study as necessary based on changes to the trail corridor that have occurred in the past 18 years.
Published February 2018
Gibson-Thomas is a multi-discipline consulting engineering firm established in 1916. Our Corporate office is located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania with regional offices located throughout Pennsylvania, and Florida. The firm presently has approximately 140 employees, which includes engineers, scientists, surveyors, technicians and certified construction inspectors.
The Beerline Trail Equitable Implementation Plan – 2019
The Beerline Trail Neighborhood Development Project was created to ensure the next phases of trail development serve the needs of the community.
Walton Family Foundation Trail Program Implementation
The goal of this report is to highlight greenway trail programs, policy, funding, and design trends, as well as best practices. This peer city and aspirational city report summarizes data gathered from eight peer cities and two aspirational cities and compares it against data from the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) region.
Merrymeeting Trail Feasibility Study
This feasibility study examined the development of a multi-use rail with trail along the State-owned railroad, as well as a number of alternate routes. This study does not recommend specific routes, but highlights the possibilities for further consideration by the involved individuals and communities.
