Allegheny Township supervisors chairman backs motorcycle trail proposal

Burchfield voices his support for motorcycle facility

Allegheny Township supervisors Chairman Dave Burchfield came to the Altoona Water Authority's regular meeting Thursday to announce his support for the motorcycle trail proposal that Republican supervisor nominee Manny Nichols criticized at a special meeting of the authority last week.

Burchfield wanted to inform the board that the current three-member board isn't opposed to the project -- "to clear up any rumors on the street," he said.

Nichols -- a shoo-in for the two-year term as supervisor in the general election, as he's unopposed -- threatened at the special meeting to sue the authority for $20 million, if it follows through with the plan to allow the West Central Pennsylvania Off-Highway Motorcycle Association to build the trail network off Sugar Run Road on 600 acres, due to fears it would interfere with local residents' quiet enjoyment of their properties.

"I'm finally ready to retire, and I've got to listen to motorcycles on Sunday?" Nichols asked rhetorically at the special meeting. "Are you kidding me?"

A typical dirt bike generates about 86 decibels, compared to the trains that ply the mainline above Sugar Run Road, which generate from 96 to 110 decibels, said authority Land Manager Katie Semelsberger.

What about 40 bikes all at once? Nichols asked.

"I appreciate the work you people do," Burchfield told board members and staff at the Thursday meeting.

The Allegheny Township supervisors have a good relationship with the authority and would like to continue it, Burchfield said.

The trail proposal "is an exciting thing" for the county -- bigger than the township alone, he said.

He was glad to learn that in addition to motorcycling, the single-track trail will be open to horseback riding, an activity in which he participates, Burchfield said.

It will also be open to hiking, mountain biking and e-bikes, Semelsberger said.

It will not be open to ATVs or other four-wheeled vehicles.

The Motorcycle Association proposed the trail network because off-road opportunities for members have disappeared locally in recent years, according to association President Seth Long.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.