FreeWheeling Easy Supplement

Construction of the Waterfront commercial development in Homestead created a 0.6-mile section of the Steel Valley Trail. This pleasant crushed limestone path is nicely finished with street lamps and wrought-iron railings. It runs along the Monongahela River from the restaurant nearest the gantry crane to the apartments currently under construction. Another 0.5 mile of trail awaits the end of apartment construction.

It’s tough to find an off-road route for a trail along the south side of the Mon River near McKeesport. Steel Valley Trail has done the next-best thing between McKeesport and Clairton, signing an on-street route that avoids as much traffic as possible. The route is generally well marked with a combination of signs and pavement markings. Begin at the McKee Point Marina. Go under the Lysle Blvd bridge, turn right, and climb to get on the downstream sidewalk of that bridge. After crossing the bridge follow signs down the ramp and along Rebecca St to turn left on Atlantic. You’ll see a faded bike lane painted on the street. Follow this lane, turning left on Roanoke and right on Pacific, to the sidewalk of Ramp 2. Climb the ramp and turn right on 5th Av. As you approach the Mansfield Bridge, take the right fork to go under the bridge and rejoin the main drag, now called Monongahela Av. At Lincoln St, cross Monongahela and use the sidewalk on the other side for a block, then turn left on Reed and right into the alley. Follow the alley to 1st St and turn right to cross Monongahela Av. At the "T", turn left in an alley. This becomes the "demonstration section" of trail (but now pretty gravelly and shared with cars), then Allegheny Av. Continue to the stadium and turn left along the chain link fence. When you get back to the main drag (now called Ohio Av) proceed carefully past the stadium entrance and along the very narrow shoulder to the Clairton-Glassport Bridge. Once you get to the bridge, the ample shoulders will get you across. The return route is similar, but it diverges occasionally; use common sense and follow the signs. See the map on page S-6.