It’s been a long haul, but Ziegler never spun her wheels in getting tunnel fixed
When Chris Ziegler, director of Allegheny Trails, has a goal, it’s best to just stay out of her way.
Ziegler decided several years ago that the old railroad tunnel on the Armstrong Trail in East Brady should be renovated and returned to use, albeit for bicycles using the rail trail, and not trains hauling coal.
The problem was that the 1915 tunnel had a large hole in the ceiling that allowed massive amounts of water in during rainstorms and bricks were falling from the domed ceiling and walls.
Ziegler scoffed at those seemingly insurmountable problems, and has steadily applied for large grants each year to make the repairs.
The work was completed as the grants came in, and Ziegler announced last week that the completed tunnel project will be unveiled at 11 a.m. on Nov. 1.
Those in attendance can then walk or ride from the southern end of the tunnel to the northern end, and then through the 5-mile, relatively untouched stretch of Armstrong Trail on the north side.
“It is so beautiful,” Ziegler said of the new stretch of rail trail.
She said lights likely will be hung in the tunnel at some point, but it will be open for the enjoyment of walkers, joggers and cyclists until then.
Ziegler said other trails have garnered millions of dollars in economic impact for the municipalities along those trails, and she hopes the same happens for East Brady and other towns along the Allegheny Trail.
The Butler Eagle offers a hearty tip of the cap to Ziegler for her efforts to have the historic tunnel repaired and returned to use for our area’s outdoor enthusiasts.
We wonder what amazing things she will do next to delight those who use our region’s rail trails.
— PJG
