Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration is inviting Pennsylvania communities to join the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance in honoring the heroes and events of September 11, 2001. Leading up to the 25th anniversary in 2026, Governor Josh Shapiro has directed the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to work with local governments to designate on-road and off-road segments as part of the 1,500-mile trail linking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 Memorial in Somerset County. The Shapiro Administration has sent letters to over 100 municipalities to encourage them to join this effort.
The 9/11 National Memorial Trail passes through 25 Pennsylvania counties and 129 municipalities. Communities can view the trail’s path, including its route through their area, on the Alliance’s website at 911trail.org. The Alliance has made significant progress developing the trail route, working with PennDOT to identify locations for nearly 750 signs that will aid navigation along roughly 900 miles of trail in Pennsylvania.
The signs range from 18x12 to 24x18 inches depending on location, and feature the National Memorial Trail logo, a bicycle symbol, and “9-11 NMT.” The Shapiro Administration is supporting this work so that signage along the full length of the trail in Pennsylvania is complete ahead of the 25th anniversary.
“Pennsylvania is proud to honor the heroes who ran towards danger to keep Americans safe and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001,” said Governor Shapiro. “The 9/11 National Memorial Trail provides a meaningful way for communities across our Commonwealth to connect, reflect, and pay tribute. By completing this trail, we ensure that residents and visitors alike can walk, bike, and explore while remembering the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that defines our nation.”
“The September 11 National Memorial Trail represents the life my daughter, Deora, and I had – we loved spending time together in nature,” said Debby Borza, Board Member, 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance. “The trail gives families like mine the opportunity to walk the path and remember our loved ones that we lost on September 11, 2001, and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania. My hope is that it continues to serve as a place of reflection and education. With the signs we hope to place along the path, everyone who walks, hikes, cycles, or visits will be reminded of its significance and honor those we lost.
PennDOT has approved signage plans for several counties and is actively developing plans for the remaining on-road sections across state-owned roadways. Signs, provided and installed by the Alliance, range from 18x12 to 24x18 inches depending on location, and feature the National Memorial Trail logo, a bicycle symbol, and “9-11 NMT.”
“Governor Shapiro knows that trails are a huge asset to Pennsylvania’s economy and quality of life,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “I’m proud that PennDOT is helping the Commonwealth commemorate its significant role in this chapter of American history. We are installing lasting reminders of the heroes and those we lost nearly 25 years ago.”
The 9/11 National Memorial Trail is marked with signs provided and installed by the Alliance, featuring the National Memorial Trail logo, a bicycle symbol, and “9-11 NMT.”
DCNR has contributed nearly $1 million in grants through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) to complete and improve trail sections in Pennsylvania.
“Trails connect communities, landscapes, memorials, and historic places,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “The 9/11 National Memorial Trail promotes health, supports the economy, and serves as a tribute to the fallen and first responders, offering an opportunity to reflect on the events that forever changed our nation.”
Pennsylvania boasts more than 12,000 miles of trails. The 9/11 National Memorial Trail includes a portion of the Great Allegheny Passage, a 150-mile rail trail that generates more than $120 million in economic impact annually in southwestern Pennsylvania.
As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches next year, the Shapiro Administration encourages communities across Pennsylvania to engage with the trail — walking, biking, or visiting its markers — to honor the lives lost and heroes who responded on September 11, 2001. This effort ensures that the trail not only serves as a path through Pennsylvania’s landscapes but also as a lasting tribute, connecting residents and visitors to the history, resilience, and shared memory of that day.