Pittsburgh Riverfronts

Mon Wharf Switchback

 

The Mon Wharf Switchback Ramp is a Riverlife project in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. The switchback connects trail users using the Smithfield Street Bridge, Three Rivers Heritage Trail and Great Allegheny Passage down to the eastern end of the Mon Wharf Landing, a linear park along the Monongahela River in downtown Pittsburgh. The top entrance to the switchback is located off of the upriver (eastern) pedestrian walkway of the Smithfield Street Bridge. The ramp is ADA accessible and fully lit at night.

Users will eventually be able to ride the riverfront trail directly into Point State Park via the western end of the Mon Wharf to reach the western terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which opens and operates Point State Park, is planning an improved trail connection from the western end of the Mon Wharf into Point State Park. Read more about DCNR’s Point State Park Connector.

RELATED: Throughout the winter of 2017-2018, Riverlife completed the implementation of improvements to the crosswalk at Grant Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard. Known as “Grant Street Crossing,” the project aims to create a clearer, safer route to access the Monogahela River waterfront for trail users.

Get Directions

Features

Illustration of switchback after dark with lights.
View Larger

Lighting for Evening Use

The Switchback will be fully illuminated for use after dark.

Photo of eastern end of the Mon Wharf Landing with overgrown foliage
View Larger

Access

The switchback will extend down on the eastern side of the Smithfield Street Bridge before looping back under the bridge to take users to the Mon Wharf Landing.

Two cyclists on bikes riding a leafy trail
View Larger

Great Allegheny Passage

The Switchback will create a riverfront route free of motorized vehicles into Point State Park for users of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage.

“Before” Photos

The Switchback Ramp will create an opening on the upriver side of the bridge. The connected ramp will descend to the east of the bridge before doubling back under the bridge to land at the wharf.
View Larger

Upriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge

The Switchback Ramp will create an opening on the upriver side of the bridge. The connected ramp will descend to the east of the bridge before doubling back under the bridge to land at the wharf.

The spot where the switchback ramp will land on the Mon Wharf.
View Larger

Location of future ramp landing

The spot where the switchback ramp will land on the Mon Wharf.

Smithfield Street Bridge before the ramp
View Larger

Smithfield Street Bridge before the ramp

The ramp will connect off of the eastern (upriver) side of the bridge's pedestrian walkway before doubling back under the bridge and landing near this spot on the wharf.
View Larger

Smithfield Street Bridge before ramp access is created

The ramp will connect off of the eastern (upriver) side of the bridge's pedestrian walkway before doubling back under the bridge and landing near this spot on the wharf.

This photo, taken before the Mon Wharf Landing was constructed, shows where eastbound trail users will begin to climb the ramp to access the Smithfield Street Bridge.
View Larger

Mon Wharf Landing, looking east toward the Smithfield Street Bridge

This photo, taken before the Mon Wharf Landing was constructed, shows where eastbound trail users will begin to climb the ramp to access the Smithfield Street Bridge.

This photo, taken before the Mon Wharf Landing was constructed, shows under the Smithfield Street Bridge where the ramp will descend.
View Larger

Eastern end of the Mon Wharf under the Smithfield Street Bridge

This photo, taken before the Mon Wharf Landing was constructed, shows under the Smithfield Street Bridge where the ramp will descend.

Construction Photos

Redbud Trees at the Mon Wharf
View Larger

Mon Wharf Color

Redbud Trees at the Mon Wharf. Photo by Stephan Bontrager, Riverlife.

View looking east of the Switchback construction site from the Smithfield Street Bridge.
View Larger

April 18, 2017

View looking east of the Switchback construction site from the Smithfield Street Bridge. Photo by Stephan Bontrager, Riverlife.

View of the Switchback construction site and Mon Wharf Landing from the Smithfield Street Bridge.
View Larger

April 18, 2017

View of the Switchback construction site and Mon Wharf Landing from the Smithfield Street Bridge. Photo by Stephan Bontrager, Riverlife.

The site upriver of the Smithfield Street Bridge is prepared for switchback pier supports.
View Larger

April 18, 2017

The site upriver of the Smithfield Street Bridge is prepared for switchback pier supports. Photo by Stephan Bontrager, Riverlife.

Clearwater Construction prepares to drill the foundations for the switchback's Pier 4. Image by Vivien Li, Riverlife.
View Larger

June 7, 2017

Clearwater Construction prepares to drill the foundations for the switchback's Pier 4. Image by Vivien Li, Riverlife.

The contractor begins digging the foundations of the switchback pier supports. View is from the Smithfield Street bridge looking upriver.
View Larger

June 22, 2017

The contractor begins digging the foundations of the switchback pier supports. View is from the Smithfield Street bridge looking upriver.

The contractor begins digging the foundations of the switchback pier supports. View is from the Smithfield Street bridge looking upriver.
View Larger

June 22, 2017

The contractor begins digging the foundations of the switchback pier supports. View is from the Smithfield Street bridge looking upriver.

Concrete pours for the four piers on the upriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge are almost complete. The next step is preparing for micro piles.
View Larger

July 11, 2017

Concrete pours for the four piers on the upriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge are almost complete. The next step is preparing for micro piles.

Steel supports are put into place at the Mon Wharf site. These four beams will support the portion of the ramp that extends upstream of the Smithfield Street Bridge before it doubles back downstream.
View Larger

September 19, 2017

Steel supports are put into place at the Mon Wharf site. These four beams will support the portion of the ramp that extends upstream of the Smithfield Street Bridge before it doubles back downstream.

View from the Smithfield Street Bridge of the steel supports are put into place at the Mon Wharf site. These four beams will support the portion of the ramp that extends upstream of the bridge before it doubles back downstream.
View Larger

September 19, 2017

View from the Smithfield Street Bridge of the steel supports recently put into place at the Mon Wharf site. These four beams will support the portion of the ramp that extends upstream of the bridge before it doubles back downstream.

The first section of steel for the Switchback ramp is raised into place on the upriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge.
View Larger

November 29, 2017

The first section of steel for the Switchback ramp is raised into place on the upriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge.

Close-up of the steel section being placed by the crane.
View Larger

November 29, 2017

Close-up of the steel section being placed by the crane.

The crane and first section of steel for the ramp are visible above I-376. The vertical supports show how the ramp will lead up to the Smithfield Street Bridge.
View Larger

November 29, 2017

The crane and first section of steel for the ramp are visible above I-376. The vertical supports show how the ramp will lead up to the Smithfield Street Bridge.

The construction crew adds metal decking to the switchback structure. Concrete will be poured on top.
View Larger

December 19, 2017

The construction crew adds metal decking to the switchback structure. Concrete will be poured on top.

View of the progress from the eastern walkway of the Smithfield Street Bridge
View Larger

December 19, 2017

View of the progress from the eastern walkway of the Smithfield Street Bridge

The ramp is now connected to the eastern end of the Mon Wharf Landing.
View Larger

December 19, 2017

The ramp is now connected to the eastern end of the Mon Wharf Landing.

After a long winter, construction resumes and the first section of concrete for the ramp is poured. Additional concrete work will proceed dependent on the weather. Photo: Carol Galand
View Larger

April 11, 2018

After a long winter, construction resumes and the first section of concrete for the ramp is poured. Additional concrete work will proceed dependent on the weather. Photo: Carol Galand

The contractors complete the concrete pouring for the majority of the ramp. The concrete must set for two weeks (weather dependent) before additional work can continue.
View Larger

May 1, 2018

The contractors complete the concrete pouring for the majority of the ramp. The concrete must set for two weeks (weather dependent) before additional work can continue.

Contractors install railings and safety screens along the upper deck of the Mon Wharf Switchback.
View Larger

July 3, 2018

Contractors install railings and safety screens along the upper deck of the Mon Wharf Switchback.

Habitat landscaping is underway along the riverfront under the upriver side of the ramp.
View Larger

September 5, 2018

Habitat landscaping is underway along the riverfront under the upriver side of the ramp.

Paving and landscaping continue around the base of the ramp on the downriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge. A new kayak launch is part of the improvements to this end of the Mon Wharf.
View Larger

September 5, 2018

Paving and landscaping continue around the base of the ramp on the downriver side of the Smithfield Street Bridge. A new kayak launch is part of the improvements to this end of the Mon Wharf.

Construction is nearly complete. The project is waiting on a component manufacturing issue for a piece connecting the ramp to the bridge.
View Larger

November 1, 2018

Construction is nearly complete. The project is waiting on a component manufacturing issue for a piece connecting the ramp to the bridge.

Project Partners

Riverlife
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
City of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Parking Authority

Development

After the Mon Wharf Landing opened to the public in 2009, creating new riverfront public open space on what was formerly rows of parking spaces, Riverlife began planning, permitting and fundraising for a connection on the eastern end of the Landing up to the Smithfield Street Bridge.  The ramp restores pedestrian access to the Mon Wharf and Mon River after decades of limited access.

Riverlife has taken a leadership role in the planning, permitting, and fundraising of the Mon Wharf Switchback, and construction is in joint partnership with the City of Pittsburgh. Site preparation for construction of the Switchback began in April of 2017. Construction was completed in late 2018. View photos of the ribbon cutting celebration here.