PennDOT Announces the Commonwealth’s First Nationally Designated Bicycle Route – Route 50

PennDOT Announces the Commonwealth's First Nationally Designated Bicycle
Route – Route 50

6/21/2017-HARRISBURG

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced the

designation of Pennsylvania's first nationally designated bicycle route -
U.S.
Bicycle Route 50.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO)
officially approved the route in May making Pennsylvania the 25th state to
join
the developing U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS).

"We are very proud to have, along with our partners, developed more than
160
miles of trails and roadway for U.S. Bicycle Route 50," said Leslie S.
Richards, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary.
"We
expect the designation of U.S. Bicycle Route 50 to result in significant
transportation, health, and economic benefits to the region."

The 163-mile route mostly follows off-road trails, including the popular
Great
Allegheny Passage, Montour Trail, and the Panhandle Trail and connects
Maryland
to West Virginia through a variety of natural and agricultural landscapes,
historical sites, thriving small towns, and recreational hot spots.
Cyclists
can visit restored rail stations; Ohiopyle State Park, which has some of
the
best white water rafting on the East Coast; Point State Park in Pittsburgh;
and
the nearby Fort Pitt Museum.

"What an honor to have sections of the Montour Trail -- our 2017 Trail of
the
Year -- the Great Allegheny Passage and other trails comprising much of
this
first nationally designated bicycle route," said Department of Conservation
and
Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "Trails connect communities
and
destinations to each other; people to the outdoors and healthy exercise;
and
attract visitors who spend money. They also serve as testament to the
commitment of so many incredible volunteers who help them grow."

Additionally, Amtrak's Capitol Limited route parallels U.S. Bicycle Route
50
between DC and Pittsburgh and offers the opportunity for cyclists to carry
their bikes on or off the train at any station. This multimodal option
allows
for more flexibility to plan bicycle trips without a car.

To see the placement of USBR 50 in Pennsylvania visit "Statewide Bike
Routes"
at PennDOT's "Ride a Bike" page at www.penndot.gov.

To view a complete list of District 6 News Releases: Click
http://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/allnews.aspx

To unsubscribe click
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/districts/district6/d6media.nsf/unsubscribeform?OpenForm