PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A ceremony was held today to open a brand new three-mile section of the Great Allegheny Passage. The ambitious trail project will one day connect Pittsburgh to Washington D.C.

Nearly 100 bicyclists hit the newly-opened section of the Great Allegheny Passage this morning.

“Very exciting for all of us trail users,” said Betsy Manderino, of the Allegheny Trail Alliance. “It’s one step closer to finishing the Great Allegheny Passage.”

The three-mile section runs from Grant Avenue in Duquesne over a new 110-foot bridge that crosses the Port Perry Rail Yard and connects to The Waterfront in Munhall.

“Planners are finding a way to get through Sandcastle,” said Manderino. “There is still a few things to be ironed out.”

That last mile in Sandcastle will complete the entire 335 mile trail from downtown Pittsburgh to Washington D.C.

“A big part of it means that when people ride up from D.C., they won’t have to stop in McKeesport, not be able to go all the way in downtown,” said Joe Sharek, of Sewickley. “This connection almost closes the trail all the way to downtown Pittsburgh, and we think you’ll see a lot more riders coming into Pittsburgh.”

“We’ve met people from around the world riding back and forth from D.C. It’s just tremendous for Pittsburgh,” added Ed Quigley, of Monaca.

Development on the Great Allegheny Passage began in 1975.

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