Matthew Hassick's path to earning the Boy Scouts of America's highest award, the coveted Eagle pin, recently took a major leap forward on the Ironton Rail-Trail.

The 17-year-old Whitehall High School senior built a stairway on an embankment leading from the macadam path to the Tate Meadows and Coplay Creek, located in the Stiles-Hokendauqua section of the heavily used trail.

Matthew, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 12, which meets at Asbury United Methodist Church, Allentown, is expected to be awarded the Eagle pin at a court of honor to take place sometime in the next several months.

The project Matthew chose first needed the approval of the IRT Oversight Commission. Troop 12 leaders also approved Matthew's project, which then went to a Minsi Trails Boy Scout Council for another approval.

Once he got the OK to move forward with the project, Matthew said, the next step was to draw up plans. He said he received help from a relative with engineering experience, three Scouts and his parents.

Matthew then raised funds for the 17 steps. With some fundraising projects and aid from his parents, Lynda and Dave Hassick, the project began to take shape.

Thick treated wood was used to build the steps. A fine stone base inside each step and a wooden railing completes the path, used by those who walk, jog or bike on the trail.

"I began in June. It took about 50 hours to completion," Matthew said Sunday, smiling as he looked at the project, now a permanent part of the IRT.

Before the Minsi Trail Council approves Matthew's elevation to Eagle Scout, he said, "I have some paperwork I have to finish and complete one more merit badge."

The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout took 10 years for Matthew, who started in Scouting as a Tiger Cub.

Matthew said he has other items on his agenda for next summer, such as pitching for the Whitehall High School baseball team in the spring and joining his Boy Scout Troop backpacking at Philmont Ranch, New Mexico.

Eventually, he plans to pursue a college degree in criminal justice.