Community Development Township of Upper St. Clair

The Development of the Sidewalks and Bikeways Network

Parks & Recreation | Schools | Community Destinations | Commercial Areas

Transit Arteries | Transit Sources | Worn Pathways | Street Crossings

The Community Development Department began by taking note of where people were already walking despite the absence of a sidewalk. Safety concerns in those locations were obvious. Then analysis of significant destinations and population concentrations was made.

Along Morrow Road Near Baker Park

Parks and Recreation

Upper St. Clair Township maintains first-rate facilities such as the Morton Soccer and Baseball Field Complex and the Baker School Playground. However, these parks, like many others, fail to provide adequate pedestrian and bicyclist access to residents. The Sidewalks and Bikeways Network was designed to give residents, especially children, a safe route to many parks and recreational areas that otherwise would have no pedestrian access.

Fort Couch Middle School Along Fort Couch Road

Schools

Although for many years there have been calls to provide students and faculty a safe and reliable means of walking and biking to school, progress has been slow. It is a goal of the plan to provide alternative transportation to each school, making the schools part of the entire network of sidewalks and bikeways. With the completion of the network, many more students will be able to walk safely from their homes to school.

Entrance to Library and Parks and Recreation Department

Entrance to Parks and Recreation
Department and the Library

Community Destinations

Upper St. Clair Township has many popular destinations varying from historic landmarks,including the Log Cabin, to the modern internet-accessible library. These are just some ofthe frequented destinations in Upper St. Clair that will be accessible by pedestrians with the Sidewalks and Bikeways Network.

Commercial Areas

Crossgates Plaza on Route 19

While Upper St. Clair Township is principally a residential community, the commercial areas provide close, convenient shopping locations. Although many residents are well within walking distance of these areas, they have no safe means to walk or bike to them. The Sidewalks and Bikeways Network will provide these residents with a safe access to commercial areas without the need to use automobiles.

Transit Arteries

Along Route 19

Many of Upper St. Clair Township's roads are heavily traveled and it seems logical thatwidely used transit arteries should offer some form of alternative transportation. The Sidewalks and Bikeways Network gives residents the opportunity to walk or bike along these transit arteries without facing competition from motorists. The plan will not only provide alternative transportation, but it will also create a safer environment for all travelers.

Path Along Fort Couch Road

Worn Paths

The easiest decision for the location of sidewalks and bikeways came with the sight ofworn paths along roadsides, an obvious sign that pedestrian or bicycle travel is high inan area. Many of the worn pathways within the Township are included in the Sidewalks andBikeways Network.

Transit Sources

Many Upper St. Clair daily commuters efficiently use the light rail (the "T") to travel in to the city. With the Port Authority's plans to create a T Station within Upper St. Clair, it is appropriate that residents close to this facility should not have to drive to the parking lot to use the T. With the Sidewalks and Bikeways Network, the busy roads leading to the proposed T Station will have pedestrian and bicyclist sidewalks to accommodate the community.

Intersection of Fieldgate Drive and Route 19
at the entrance to Springfield Estates.

Street Crossings

Similar underserved areas are also evident in crosswalks that have no sidewalk continuation for pedestrians or bicyclists. The Sidewalks and Bikeways Network will service many of these isolated crosswalks.

return to top

Department of

Community Development

Department of