Pittsburgh-to-Cleveland Corridor Would Be Major Addition to National Trail Network

The 220-mile route would connect the two cities and could potentially boost the economies of communities along the stretch.

1 minute read

April 7, 2020, 9:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Pittsburgh

Tupungato / Shutterstock

"Connecting Pittsburgh to Cleveland by trail could be very good for both metro areas and people who live in them as well as elsewhere around the region and beyond. And not just for their legs and lungs and moods, but also for the health of local economies and communities," writes Bob Batz Jr.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy recently released a feasibility study for this corridor, part of a 1,500-mile route through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. The stretch between Pittsburgh and Cleveland would also connect to other trail systems in the region.

Proponents say that the project would drive community and economic development, including tourism and residential developments near the trail.

The trail would be a major undertaking, and various gaps still exist along the route. "The study gives specific recommendations on how local groups can complete the missing pieces and estimates the millions of dollars that [it] will cost to do and to maintain," says Batz.

Sunday, March 22, 2020 in Pittsburg Post-Gazette

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of wide street in Cleveland, Ohio with blue 55th Street sign and red brick three-story building visible in right corner.

Cleveland to Boost Bike Safety With New Bike Lanes, School Programs

The program, using curriculum created by Cleveland Bikes, is part of a broader effort to improve safety along school routes.

1 hour ago - Signal Cleveland

Aerial view of heavily damaged mobile homes after a hurricane in Florida.

Florida Home Insurers Disproportionately Dropping Low-Income Households

Non-renewal rates are highest in inland counties, not the coastal areas most immediately vulnerable to storms.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA