WAYNE TWP. – The Bald Eagle Valley Trail’s Falcon Bridge opened today, finally offering hikers and bikers safe passage over the western branch of the Susquehanna River, said Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
The river crossing concludes the fourth, and most challenging, phase of the county’s six-part plan to build out the trail system to connect to Lycoming County’s Pine Creek Rail Trail and the Bald Eagle Valley Trail’s Castanea trail head near Lock Haven.
“Today is an exciting day for all of us who love our incredible system of trails and have championed this mammoth effort for more than two years,” Yaw said. “I congratulate Clinton County on the bridge’s completion and look forward to seeing the last two phases of the trail expansion come to fruition. The long range plan is to connect this trail to the Jersey Shore area and then to the Rails to Trail and eventually to Wellsboro.”
Clinton County embarked on the $2.8 million project to replace an old iron railroad bridge in 2020, using a combination of state and county funding and federal stimulus. Several delays pushed completion of the project back an entire year.
“This endeavor will boost recreational tourism throughout the region,” Yaw said. “It is the perfect example of strategic investment that honors our existing natural resources and draws more to Pennsylvania, benefitting us all.”
Over the years, Yaw has worked with the Borough of Jersey Shore on its Active Transportation Plan, in addition to advocating for state investments, which will connect the Greenway Trail to the Susquehanna River and encourage more bicycle and pedestrian travel throughout and around the Borough for recreation and employment opportunities.
For more state-related news and information, visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
