Lower Trail Becomes Part of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail

The Lower Trail in Williamsburg recently became a part of the September 11 National Memorial Trail (911NMT).

The 911NMT begins at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Va., and ends at the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.

It also connects the World Trade Center in New York City with Antietam and Gettysburg battlefields, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park, the Great Allegheny Passage, and the East Coast Greenway.

According to Jeffery McCauley, president of the 911NMT Alliance, The Pennsylvania Alignment Study has outlined a path through the state that links the memorial sites in the most efficient way possible.

This is done by using existing corridors.

"The study recommended utilizing the Lower Trail because of its long distance and connectivity to related sites," McCauley said.

He said the trail is set to bring national recognition and increased tourism to local areas, particularly along the Lower Trail.

Karl King, a Rail to Trails member, said that it was originally built along the Main Line Canal right-of-way, an historic transportation route constructed in the 1820s to enhance travel across Pennsylvania.

"Those who use the Lower Trail will be able to see remnants of the locks and piers from the aqueducts," he said.

King said he has spoken with people who have completed the entire 9/11 Trail and said about how they were able to see historic sites at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, C&O Canal, and Johnstown Flood Museum.

He said the Lower Trail being included in the 911NMT will be a great asset to the community.

"It will draw more people to the area, and give it an economic boost," King said.

Along with benefiting tourism, he thought it is a good way to honor the 9/11 victims and also remember what happened on that day.

"We are very pleased to be a part of it," King said. "The Lower Trail will be able to have a national impact that is more than just a local-point-of-interest."

King said since the pandemic, they saw an increase of people using the trail due to people looking for more outdoor activities.

During that time more than 75,000 used the Lower Trail and there are still many people using it daily today, he said.

King said people from Williamsburg are also recognizing it as an economic generator with more people stopping in because of the trail.

Despite the anticipated influx of visitors, McCauley reassured that the trail's current volunteer-based maintenance will not be disrupted.

In fact, 911NMT's involvement could assist with future improvement projects. The trail's compliance with Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) standards ensures minimal environmental impact, and in some cases, it could even enhance the surrounding ecosystem.

A national designation opens doors to potential funding through the National Park Service, which could be used for enhancements such as 911NMT-branded bike racks, benches, and signage to guide visitors along the route.

"The Lower Trail will retain its own identity as the area's first long-distance trail while benefiting from its inclusion in the larger national route," King said.

New signage is already in place, with PennDOT-approved routing signs installed in Somerset County and expected in Blair County by 2024. Communities like Duncansville, Hollidaysburg, and Williamsburg have approved 911NMT welcome signs, with installations underway.

McCauley said that the organization is working with numerous communities across the 1,500-mile trail to ensure safe access, enhanced interpretation, and infrastructure improvements, aligning with DCNR standards.