The Clarion County commissioners this week adopted a resolution to allow a $998,650 multimodal transportation fund grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for restoration of the East Brady tunnel.
Armstrong Trails has leveraged several grants, including the combination of $1.3 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Pennvest for phase one of the project.
The 36-mile long Armstrong Trails is located on the former Allegheny Valley Railroad line, along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong and Clarion counties.
The tunnel was originally built because the old railroad line that ran next to the Allegheny River was subject to landslides. The construction of the tunnel shaved 12 miles off the river routes when it was opened in 1915.
Total cost of the project is expected to cost $7 million to $10 million and take at least four years to complete.