There is no bike trail in Marianna on the old Norfolk Southern Rail Corridor. The information below is merely a timeline to document the history of articles pertaining to the establishment of a possible bike trail from Marianna to Cokeburg Junction and beyond to Monongahela. I highly recommend subscribing to Mon Valley Independent to view the articles below in their entirety, in order to get a clear picture as to how we got here, where things are and aren't going for various reasons.

1976?

"The West Beth Township Planning Commission received a comprehensive land-use plan. Plans are being made to build a bike Trail along the unfinished Chartiers Southern rail bed. Public meetings on the issues are being held."-Source- A Bicentennial History of West Bethlehem Township and Marianna Borough 1776-1976

2007

Washington County Greenways Plan adopted. Map HERE.

2014

A Comprehensive Plan for Marianna Borough and West Bethlehem Township adopted. Viewing available at municipalities.

2015

July 6th-Marianna Outdoorsmen Association striving to expand recreation opportunities.

2016

An informational meeting was held a Daley's office with several West Beth Residents seeking support of a bike trail. The result was the first letter from State Rep Daley to Norfolk Southern Corporation, on left.

2017

Month?-Marianna Revitalization Initiative created by local non-profit.

January 17th-Cook confirms 3 major proposals.

From State Representative Bud Cook's official website: Mon Valley Coal and Steel Heritage Trail© – Rail to Trail portion approximately 25 miles running from Monongahela, Carroll Township, Fallowfield Township, Bentleyville Borough, Ellsworth Borough, North and West Bethlehem townships to Marianna Borough; and Road Route portion approximately 25 miles from Monongahela, Route 88 from Donora to Fredericktown connecting into the Greene River Trail.
Status: Long Range Planning and Construction expected to take place for both portions from 2018-2040.

The above information is still on his site as of 5-14-2021

January 20th-Cook Confirms Major Mon Valley Trail Projects Moving Forward.

March 9th-Regional walking/biking trail could pass through Donora’s Palmer Park.

June 9th-Donora seeks more state funding for Rails-to-Trails project.

July 7th-Washington County Trails nearing construction.

July 16th-Donora approves another application for state funds for Rails-to-Trails study.

July 20th-Marianna Revitalization Initiative post by anonymous person HERE (post also shared in support by Marianna Borough Councilman Berardinelli).

November 16th-$50,000 Grant Awarded to Complete Mon Valley Coal and Steel Heritage Trail Feasibility Study.

December 15th-Donora's Coal and Steel Heritage Trail project may have to wait.

2018

April 2nd-The Marianna Outdoorsmen Association (M.O.A.) received a $175,000 grant to restore signage and enhance trails between the towns along the Marianna – Monongahela corridor in Washington County.

2019

May 2nd-Donora ready to seek bids to conduct rails-to-trails study.

August-Dennis Martinak and Tom Rebar, who are conducting the trail study, attend the Mon Art Trails Tour presented by MOA President Jason White at Century Inn.

October 3rd-Donora updated on process of 'rails to trails'.

2020

February 6th-Donora hears bike trail update.

June-12th-Northern Greene River Trailhead Closes.

December 17th-Monongahela planning how to spend 2020 CDBG funds.

2021

February 4th-Donora leaders outraged by Rep. Cook’s comments (related to trail? Fish community, Marianna?).

February 11th-Rails to trails mixup in Donora.

April 4th-Donora unsure of rails to trails project.

April 8th-Donora: Rails to trails payment may be withheld.

$20,000 grand going to Marianna?. Up until this time there have been no public meetings held in regard to a bike trail, so there is no way to know whether or not the people in Marianna want a trail or not.

April 20th-Social media announcement on Facebook:

PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT regarding the MON VALLEY COAL AND STEEL HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, April 22,  2021 to provide information and accept comments on a potential route for a pedestrian / bicycle trail in eastern Washington County.  The proposed project is an approximate twenty-five (25) mile route that follows a Norfolk-Southern rail corridor starting at the southern terminus in Marianna Borough and ending in the City of Monongahela - with a possible extension to the Borough of Donora.

A map of the proposed corridor can be viewed at the following locations: Marianna Outdoorsmen Association building located at 17 Magnolia Street in Marianna, the Bentleyville Public Library located at 931 Main Street in Bentleyville, the Monongahela Public Library located at 813 West Main Street in the City of Monongahela, and the Donora Public Library located at 510 Meldon Avenue in Donora Borough. The hours of operation for the public libraries are located on their websites, and they ask that anyone who views the maps follow their COVID protocols.

Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, the public meeting will be conducted via Zoom at 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

If you are interested in attending the Zoom meeting, or if you have any questions, please contact Dennis Martinak...

April 22nd-Answers provided at virtual hearing on rails to trails study.

April 25th-Major 'sponsor' needed to get Mon Valley Coal & Steel Heritage Trail moving

May- 2nd-

May 12th-Tom Rebar who has been working with consultant Dennis Martinak (see May 13th) on the Rails to Trails project that is to go from Marianna to Monongahela addressed Marianna council about obtaining several grants for the mine yard area. See more about bike trail here.

May 13th-