Greer Tunnel Announcement
from Montour Trail Council
Greer Tunnel on the Montour Trail Reopening as First Phase of Repairs Nears Finish
The Greer Tunnel will reopen as early as next week as emergency repairs are nearing completion, the Montour Trail Council has announced.
The Greer Tunnel, located near Chartiers Creek at mile marker 28.5 on the Montour Trail, was closed in late March due to a newly-discovered structural deficiency in its east portal. The 235-foot-long tunnel was constructed by the Montour Railroad Co. in 1913.
The project engineer is William Armstrong with WEC Engineers of Bridgeville, PA; material supplier is Camber Corporation of Wexford, PA; and the contractor is Bioni Drilling of Lawrence, PA, for this initial stabilization phase of the Greer Tunnel.
Later this year, a major rehabilitation project will begin on the Greer. It will include the installation of a strongly reinforced tunnel portal, drainage upgrades, and a steel liner on the walls and ceiling of the eastern half of the tunnel.
This undertaking will result in tunnel closures on weekdays. The Montour Trail Council, which owns and operates the trail, will strive to permit access on most weekends, but it is likely the tunnel will be closed on some weekends. Pending material and labor availability, it is anticipated that the project will be completed by year’s end.
Funding to address the lining project was graciously awarded to the Montour Trail Council in the form of a grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County. These funds, however, will only cover a portion of the total cost of the portal and lining project, which at this time is estimated to be well in excess of $500,000.
The particular structural deficiency being repaired now was an unanticipated expense that will have to be absorbed by the trail council.
A fundraising appeal has been launched and donors can make a contribution at Montourtrail.org/Greer-tunnel-2/ or by using QR codes on signs at trailheads along the Montour Trail.
The trail council is committed to providing the public safe access through the tunnel as soon as possible.