THE BACKGROUND

The 630‑foot National Tunnel in Cecil Township was bored by the Montour Railroad in 1913 with wood supports and lined with concrete in 1928. Trains passed through it until 1980. When the Montour Trail Council purchased the railroad right‑of‑way in 1989, the tunnel was part of that acquisition, and Montour Trail Council opened it for public use in 1992. 

Located in the center of Montour’s mainline corridor, the tunnel anchors a trail that threads through 12 communities across Allegheny and Washington counties near Pittsburgh, Pa. The Montour welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually — people who come to walk, ride, run, and reconnect with nature.

THE INSPECTION

Late in 2025, an inspection revealed significant deterioration at the western end. The Montour Trail Council closed the tunnel, and work began on temporary bracing and permanent repair planning. Our estimate is that repairs won't be complete until 2027.  

THE FIX

Engineers have determined that the best permanent repair is installing a steel liner, a solution that has been applied successfully to other aging railroad tunnels around the country, including our own Greer tunnel.  This liner will be installed at the western end for 295 feet; the project includes repairing the western portal, new lighting and protective netting on the tunnel's eastern end . 

THE CHALLENGE

Our current estimate is that this repair will cost around $2.75 million. Montour Trail Council has started this campaign to generate the matching funds that federal, state, local and private grants will require. 

We need your help

If you are interested in partnering with us beyond a personal donation, we welcome your thoughts. Generous anonymous trail supporters have agreed to match donations (for the first two or three months?), so a donor’s gift will go twice as far! Learn some of the possibilities with this email template.