Contract awarded for Brady Tunnel rehab work

Clarion County commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract to Francis J. Palo for the second phase of the Brady Tunnel rehabilitation.

The grant amount was $545,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

At the dedication of the tunnel in May 2019, Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan said the tunnel was originally built because the old railroad line ran next to the Allegheny River and was subject to landslides. The construction of the tunnel shaved 12 miles off the river routs when it was opened in 1915.

The work will include rehabilitation of the northern portal of the tunnel and construction of about three miles of trail from the northern portal to milepost 75.23, Americans With Disabilities Act access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.

Several grants will be used for design for the rehabilitation of the tunnel.

The 36-mile Armstrong Trail is located on the former Allegheny Valley Railroad line along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion counties.

In a related matter, the commissioners approved a letter of support to endorse the 2020 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant application for Armstrong Trails for the acquisition of property between the trail and Upper Hillville Road in Madison Township.