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You are viewing 25 posts in the category Delaware County

DVRPC Data Shows Increased Demand for Circuit Trails!

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) released the first year of data from its permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters that have been placed on 11 trails around Greater Philadelphia. Thanks to generous support from the William Penn Foundation, the permanent counters enable the Commission to collect continuous volume data around The Circuit trails. The five trails with the highest combined bicycle and pedestrian volumes for a one-year period are:

  1. Schuylkill River Trail at Kelly Drive – 663,201
  2. Chester Valley Trail – 240,182
  3. Schuylkill River Trail at Pawlings Road – 208,180
  4. Wissahickon Trail – 208,114
  5. Cynwyd Heritage Trail – 114,619

The data collected by the permanent bicycle and pedestrian counters shows significant use of these regional transportation assets. DVRPC maintains one of the nation’s most widespread bicycle and pedestrian counting programs. The counters combine a passive infrared sensor, which detects body heat, with an inductive loop, which detects the metallic signature of bicycle wheels, to provide a count of pedestrian and cyclists, including their travel direction. This technology paves the way for the introduction in Philadelphia of real-time “bicycle barometers” that simultaneously collect data and encourage bicycle use due to their prominent visibility and digital displays.


What's on Deck for the Circuit

Based upon a review of the status of Circuit trail projects in the nine counties, we are able to update the estimated completion dates of twenty-six trail projects and four on-road bike lane projects that are likely to occur over the next 24 months.  There are roughly 30 miles of trails and 15 miles of bike lanes expected to be added over the next two years.  Many exciting trail projects that everyone has long been waiting for are on this list!

Project Title

Type

Mileage

County

ESTIMATED Completion date

Delaware Avenue Extension

Paved Trail

0.6

Phila

Fall 2015

Green Lane Connector

Paved Trail/Sidepath

0.1

Bucks

Fall 2015

Newtown Square Trail

Trail

0.9

Delaware

Fall 2015

Darby Creek Stream Valley Park

Paved Trail

1.2

Delaware

Fall 2015

Tinicum Route 291 ECG

Trail/Sidepath

0.5

Delaware

Fall 2015

Pennypack Trail - Route 63  to Byberry Road

Stone Dust Trail

3

Montco

Fall 2015

Cobbs Creek Segment A

PavedTrail

1

Phila

Spring 2016

Manayunk Bridge

Paved Trail/Bridge

0.6

Phila

Spring 2016

Pennypack Trail - Crossing of Frankford Ave

2-Way Protected Bike Lane

0.05

Phila

Spring 2016

Marcus Hook ECG

Bike Lanes

1

Delaware

Spring 2016

Betzwood Bridge

Bridge

0.5

Montco

Spring 2016

Big Woods Trail

Stone Dust Trail

2

Berks

Spring 2016

Kinkora Trail

Trail/Sidepath

3

Burlington

Spring 2016

Lawrence Hopewell Trail - Carter Road Section

Trail

2

Mercer

Spring 2016

Chester Creek Trail

Paved Trail

2

Delaware

Summer 2016

SRT Pottstown - Phase 1

Trail

1.5

Montco

Summer 2016

Tookany Creek

Paved Trail

0.5

Montco

Summer 2016

Bartram's Mile

PavedTrail

1.25

Phila

Fall 2016

Baxter Trail

Paved Trail

1.75

Phila

Fall 2016

K&T Trail

Paved Trail

1.8

Phila

Fall 2016

SRT - South St to Christian

Paved Trail

0.3

Phila

Fall 2016

Tyburn Road Underpass

Trail

0.2

Bucks

Fall 2016

Del Rvr Heritage Trail

Trail/Sidepath

5

Burlington

Fall 2016

Gray's Ferry Swing Bridge

Bridge

0.75

Phila

Spring 2017

Lindberg Blvd - 84th St to John Heinz

Paved Trail/Sidepath

0.5

Phila

Spring 2017

Ben Franklin Bridge Ramp

Bridge

0.3

Camden

Spring 2017

Delaware River Waterfront Trail - Washington Ave to Pier 70

Trail Improvement

0.5

Phila

Spring 2017

TOTAL TRAIL MILEAGE

 

32.3

   

Tuckahoe Road Bike Lanes - Monroe Twp to Route 40

Bike Lanes

10

Gloucester

Fall 2015

Camden/North Camden Waterfront Bike Facilities

Bike Lanes

1.6

Camden

Fall 2015

Camden/North Camden Waterfront Bike Facilities

Sharrows

2

Camden

Fall 2015

North Park Drive Bike Lanes (Part of the Circuit)

Bike Lanes

1.6

Camden

Summer 2016

TOTAL BIKE LANE MILEAGE

 

15.2

   

Circuit Trail Segments Poised For the PA TIP

Since May 2014, the PA counties have been working to strategically prioritize  segments of the Circuit.  As a result of this work, a number of these projects are being nominated to receive Regional Trail Program funding for design and engineering, construction, or additional study.  The nominations will be up for approval at the June 2015 DVRPC Board meeting.  If approved, this phase will distribute almost $1.4 million in funding.

The PA counties have also sought to identify projects that could be placed on the PA Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is the 5 counties' transportation capital budget program. An action will be introduced at the June 2015 Board meeting to create a Circuit line item on the TIP.  Seven high-priority trail projects deemed ready for design have been identified for inclusion in this line item.    

The DVRPC Board is poised to dedicate $5 M of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds to that line item for the construction of the projects.  Identified projects will be eligible to use those funds for construction. They will also work through the PennDOT process during design, making them well-positioned to compete for future federal construction funding sources. 

In addition, six of the seven projects in the line item will receive Regional Trails Program funding to pay for design and engineering.  Finally, it should be noted that approximately $9.5 million in construction funds are already programmed for the Chester Valley Trail Extension. This project is included among the seven because it has been nominated to receive supplemental funding for design and engineering from the Regional Trails Program.

The PA Circuit TIP Projects will be:

Philadelphia - 1) Pennypack Trail - State & Rhawn Crossing

                        2) Cobbs Creek Segment D– 84th Street to entrance of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge along Lindberg Blvd.

                        3) Spring Garden Street Greenway - Final Preliminary Design

Montco -           4) Chester Valley Trail Extension

                         5) Pennypack Trail - Byberry Road to County Line Road

Bucks -             6) Newtown Branch (Southampton section)

                         7) Bridge Street Crossing – D&L Canal Towpath

The following projects will receive Regional Trail Program Round 2 funds for construction or study, but will not be placed onto the TIP:

  • Chester - Chester Valley Trail Phase 4A (construction)
  • Schuylkill RIver Trail - 422 to Moser Rd (construction)
  • Frankford Greenway (alignment analysis study)
  • Cross County Trail  (alignment analysis study)
Tags: TIP

Philly Mag Shares Some of the Region’s Best Running Trails, Including Many on the Circuit

With the iconic Broad Street Run just a few weeks away, Philly Mag shared some of the best running trails and parks in the Philadelphia area and beyond, and several Circuit trails made the recommended list! Trails with spectacular views included the Ben Franklin Bridge, Boxers’ Trail, Cobbs Creek Trail, Cynwyd Heritage Trail, Wissahickon Trail, Tyler State Park, Valley Forge Historic National Park, Schuylkill River Trail,  and Cooper River Park. Go to Philly Mag to see the full list of trails and parks to take advantage of while the weather is warming up! 


2014 Highlights of the Circuit

    • 300 mile complete
    • 2014 Circuit logo slide
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2014 Milestones     

  • 12 miles of new trails were added, including the Boardwalk on Schuylkill Banks 
  • Manayunk Bridge and four other trails broke ground  
  • $13.2 million in federal, state and local grants were made in 2014 for Circuit projects.
  • The Willilam Penn Foundation awarded $8.6 million for Circuit trails and a communications plan
  • 8 counters were installed on Chester Valley Trail, Cynwyd, SRT at Kelly Drive, SRT at Pawlings Road, Lawrence Hopewell Trail, US 202 Parkway Trail, Wissahickon Trail. 
  • The Pennsylvania FY 2015-2018 Transportation Improvement Program committed an additional $1 million for Circuit projects in the next round of Transportation Alternatives awards and the five PA counties agreed to prioritize their Circuit trails for future funding.
  • Coverage in 47 outlets that reached 89 million viewers

300 miles are now complete

The Circuit grew in 2014 through the opening of the following trails:

Eleven Ribbon Cuttings/Trail Openings       

  1. Neshaminy Creek Trail - Doylestown & New Britain      
  2. Pennypack North/South Extension  
  3. Chester Valley Trail 2  & Trail 3           
  4. Schuylkill River Trail-Boardwalk    
  5. Kinkora Trail
  6. Lawrence Hopewell Pennington Connection        
  7. Schuylkill River Trail-Leesport
  8. Baldwin Run Trail
  9. Poquessing Creek Trail (not an official Circuit Trail)
  10. Yellow Springs Trail (Valley Forge) (not an official Circuit Trail)
  11. Destination Peace Valley Trail (not an official Circuit Trail)

Five Groundbreakings                       

  1. Manayunk Bridge    
  2. ECG- Baxter Trail     
  3. Pennypack N/S Extension  
  4. Sullivan's Bridge      
  5. Schuylkill River Trail West (not an official Circuit trail)

Media Impressions

Number of Viewers/Readers Reached:

89,776,236

**Huffington Post Viewership: 54,657,952**

Estimated Advertising Value:

$349,257.10

**Does not include Huffington Post advertising value**

*All readership, unique viewers and advertising equivalency numbers are estimates based on the best available data

Major Messages

  • As the trail network grows, small businesses are benefitting
  • Key assets in the Circuit are being completed
  • Collaboration leads to progress in trail development
  • Philadelphia is one of the most accessible cities for cyclists
  • The Circuit will make Philadelphia a world-class city for trail access
  • Funding is key for further trail development

Media Placements:

  • Since June, 47 different outlets covered stories
  • More than 16 TV segments
  • An impressive 8 Inquirer stories
  • All 4 Major Philly news channels covered events

50 Miles in Progress

Circuit Trails in the 9 county region were awarded $13.2 million in federal, state and local funding.

400 Miles to Go

We expect the following trails in the coming years to open:

2015:

  • Manayunk Bridge
  • Bartram’s Mile
  • SRT in Phoenixville and along the tow path in Mont Clare
  • Baxter Trail 
  • Pennypack between Welsh Road and Byberry Road (Bryn Athyn)

2016:

  • Ben Franklin Bridge ramp,
  • Chester Valley Trail in Montgomery County 
  • new bridge over the Schuylkill River at Valley Forge

 
 

    • pp141116 boardwalkc 2

PA awards grants to Circuit Trails

PennDOT's Multi-modal Fund

Philadelphia County

  • Delaware River Waterfront Corporation – $200,000 for pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements on Spring Garden Street between Columbus Boulevard/North Delaware Avenue and 2nd Street to enhance mass transit access and leverage transit-oriented development.
  •  
  • Schuylkill River Development Corporation – $1.7 million for Bartram's Mile, the extension of the Schuylkill River Trail, a multi-use commuter and recreational trail, along the west bank of the Schuylkill River from just south of Grays Ferry Avenue to 56th Street.

Montgomery County

  • Upper Dublin Township – $2.9 million to reduce the width of part of Commerce Drive to allow the construction of a 10-foot wide trail to connect Pennsylvania and Delaware Avenues, allowing construction of .75 miles of a section of the Cross County Trail

 

Commonwealth Financing Authority's Greenways, Recreation & Trails Program

Philadelphia County

  • Delaware River City Corporation - $150,000 for the K&T Trail
  • Natural Lands Trust - $150,000 for the Friends Hospital Conservation Easement (Tacony Creek Trail)

Northhampton 

  • Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.- $217,375 for Lehigh Valley Trail Connectivty Project

Delaware 

  • Natural Lands Trust - $224,000 for the Darby Creek Greenway Addition

Chester 

  • East Goshen Township - $52,500 for the Paoli Pike Trail

Bucks

  • Solebury Township - $110,000 for Solebury Route 202 Gateway Trail

Look for Rails to Trails Conservancy Trail Surveys #onthecircuit

    • circuit paper survey box
    • circuit survey monkey box
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Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is conducting Trail User Surveys on the following Circuit trails:
 
Pennsylvania Trails
 
  • Chester Valley Trail
  • Cynwyd Heritage Trail
  • Port Richmond Trail
  • Perkiomen Trail
  • Radnor Trail
  • Route 202 Parkway Trail
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Valley Forge area) 
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Fairmount Park area)
  • Schuylkill River Trail (Schuylkill Banks area) 
  • Wissahickon Trail
 
New Jersey Trails 
 
  • Blackwood Railroad Trail
  • Cooper River Trail
  • Elephant Swamp Trail 
  • Lawrence-Hopewell Trail 
  • Monroe Township Trail 
 
There are two types of surveys with identical questions. A paper survey which can be mailed back to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy postage paid, and an online survey hosted by Survey Monkey. Paper survey forms can be found in boxes.  The online survey can be accessed via smartphone using the QR code on the front of the survey box or by using the URL contained on the "take one" card.   Look for both on these trails and fill one out!
 
Surveys will be available through at least the end of the year.

PennDOT Accepting Applications for the 2015-2016 Multi-Modal Fund. But Hurry!

Don't ask us why, but PennDOT is now accepting applications for 2015-2016 Multi-Modal Fund, even before the Agency has announced the winners of the 2014 Multi-Modal Fund grant recipients. 
 
That's well and good, more money is now available to fund projects including bicycle and pedestrian projects.
 
But there is just one catch:
 
The applications are due September 24th. NEXT WEEK! 
 
We strongly suggest to any local government that has already applied for the 2014 round of funding to apply again. The anecdotal history of competitive transportation funding shows that less than half of the projects will be selected. Furthermore, odds are that a lot of new project applicants will not be able to turn around an application for this very tight deadline.
 
 
 
Tags: funding

DCNR To Hold Public Meeting on Rec. Plan

What does the future hold for outdoor recreation in Pennsylvania? How will the state meet the demands of a growing and changing population, while maintaining and improving a vast and varied recreation infrastructure?

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and partners is in the process of updating Pennsylvania’s five-year outdoor recreation plan, and would like to hear what you think about the draft recommendations contained in the plan. Are we addressing your top recreation concerns and wishes? The feedback of those who live and work in urban areas is of particular importance in the development and implementation of the plan.

Please join representatives from DCNR for a public open house hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society on Tuesday, October 7, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the PHS Town Hall , 100 North 20th Street, first floor. 

Stop by at 5 p.m. for some refreshments and a tour of the new PHS offices. DCNR will give a brief overview of the recreation plan at 5:30, and then invites you to visit five “priority stations” where you can learn more and provide your feedback.

Feel free to share this invitation with your staff, colleagues, board or members, as well as friends and family members of all ages. The more proponents of outdoor recreation that express their opinions, the better!

More information on the 2014-18 PA Outdoor Recreation Plan, including background and research findings, is available at www.paoutdoorrecplan.com.

The draft recommendations to be discussed at the public meeting will be posted on Oct. 6. Please RSVP by Friday, October 3rd.

Click here to register or call 215.988.1698.

Tags: DCNR

Forge to Refuge & Cross County Public Meetings

Two Circuit trail segments are undergoing feasibility studies.  Radnor Township is conducting the Forge to Refuge Trail (East and West) feasibility study and Plymouth Township/Montgomery County are jointly conducting the feasibility study for the Cross County Trail between Germantown Pike and Joshua Road.  Both studies are contracted to Campbell Thomas & Company.

There are two upcoming meetings worth attending if you are interested in providing input on the alignment of these trails.

September 15th, 7pm - Forge to Refuge (East) - Bartram's Garden, Philadelphia 

October 7th, 7pm - Cross County Trail - Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA.


    • cardington row
    • cct endatgermantown

Multi-Modal Fund Rountable Discussion May 22

The Transportation Management Agency of Chester County (TMACC) is hosting a Roundtable Discussion with PennDOT Representative Daivd Bratina on May 22nd from 7:30 to 9:30am to help inform interested applicants about the Multimodal Transportation Grant Fund.  This is a terrific opportunity for municipalities, boroughs, counties, economic development organizations, non-profits and others about the fund's program guidelines.  Don't miss this important opportunity to learn more about how to apply to this fund for biking, walking and trail projects.  To register, go to http://goo.gl/rWiA0N

Tags: funding

East Coast Greenway Ride on May 10th

The PA Chapter of the East Coast Greenway (ECG) Alliance is sponsoring a ride to explore the East Coast Greenway by bicycle on Saturday May 10th, 2014.  

To join, you must reserve your ride-ticket in advance.  The ride will travel from Wilmington DE to Schuylkill Banks in Philadelphia.  Riders will take a special SEPTA train car, departing 30th Street Station at 9.38am (you must arrive by 9:15am to allow loading of your bicycle), arriving in Wilmington at 10:21am. The group will follow the East Coast Greenway on its scenic route up the Brandywine Valley and then over to the Delaware River. It will then follow on-road sections of the ECG, learning of the improvements under way both for the ECG and in the communities it links along the Delaware River waterfront in New Castle and Delaware Counties. Riders will then then pay a visit to John Heinz National Wildlife Preserve, following the beautiful preserve trails with a great chance to see all the spring birds.  Finally the route passes through historic Bartram's Garden, the nation's oldest arboretum before joining new sections of the ECG along the Schuylkill River Trail.  The ride will end across the river from 30th Street Station on the Schuylkill Banks Trail.

Provide your own picnic lunch, required.

·         Fee, cost of Train Ticket, $5.00 each. 

·         Other fees: For non-ECG members the cost is $20.00.  For ECG member the cost is free. 

·         To reserve your space email Andy Hamilton at  

·         Ride is limited to 30 people.

Register here:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ecg-wilmington-to-philadelphia-ride-tickets-11389188369?aff=eorg

 
 

Remembering Mike Fusco - Champion of the Chester Creek Trail

You may not know the name Mike Fusco, but if you live in Delaware County you may know about the Chester Creek Branch and the vision to build a trail on the unused rail line that ceased operations in 1972.

Mike's efforts to create a rail trail go back nearly 20 years. According to the July 1995 edition of the Cyclegram (the Bicycle Coalition's newsletter), Mike and Delaware County Planner Jim Vetterlein began hosting weekly hikes along the Chester Creek Branch. They founded the Friends of the Chester Creek Branch shortly afterward. In 1997 the Friends began cobbling together funds from the William Penn Foundation, Delaware County, DCNR and private contributions in order to conduct a feasibility study which was finally published in 2002.

As President, Mike continued to shepherd the trail development process up to the preparation for construction. The Chester Creek Trail will begin construction this year and the removal of brush and railroad ties has already begun.

Mike was a powerful force in Delaware County, helping to create what will be the County's first linear rail trail. He will be deeply missed but the work of the Friends of Chester Creek Branch goes on. His legacy will be a terrific trail which will bring joy to thousands of people in our region for years to come. You can read more about Mike Fusco's life here.

Visitation: Wednesday from 6:30- 8:30 pm and Thursday from 9-10:00am at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home Ltd., 5980 Chichester Ave, Aston, PA
Eulogy: Thursday at 10:00am at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home. BURIAL: Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery, West Chester.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations should go to the: Friends of the Chester Creek Branch PO Box 2313 Aston, PA 19014.

Mike Fusco 1957-2014


Photos from Darby Creek Trail Ribbon Cutting

On October 20th, the first phase of the Darby Creek Trail was dedicated by Haverford Township.  The trail segment is just over one mile long, and provides a travel and recreational route that is scenic and not matched by the road network. It was funded by DVRPC's Regional Trail Fund in 2011.  Congrats to the Friends of Haverford Trails, Haverford Township and Delaware County for working so hard to get this trail moving!

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Resolutions & Letters in Support of the Circuit Commitment Campaign

Three municipalities have passed resolutions in support of funding the Circuit!  Wenonah Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, Haverford Township in Delaware County, PA and East Bradford Township in Chester County PA have each passed resolutions.  A HUGE kudos and hats off to Scott Barnes (Wenonah) and Peter Puglionesi (Haverford) for doing the heavy lifting to get these resolutions through their commissions. 

The Circuit Commitment campaign also received copies of letters of support from the Delaware County Transportation Management Agency, the YMCA of Burlington and Camden and Brandywine Realty Trust.  Special thanks to Chuck Cruit (Delco) and Jake Gordon (Camden) and Joseph Syrnick (Philly) for securing these letters of support.

All of this supports helps make the case that the Circuit deserves a regional investment.  We will be presenting these letters and resolutions to County Commissioners and Council members and Freeholders over the next few months as we meet with them to make the case for replenishing the Regional Trail Fund with $10 Million for a three year period.





October Circuit Trail Ribbon Cuttings

Don't miss these two events to launch new Circuit tail segments in Delaware and Philadelphia counties!


Darby Creek Trail Dedication - Sunday, October 20 - 2pm; Merry Place

Port Richmond Trail Ribbon Cutting - Tuesday, October 29 - 2pm; Pulaski Park at Delaware & Allegheny Avenues


DVRPC Approves $3.9 Million for Circuit Trails

On Thursday, September 26th, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Board approved 13 projects for funding from the final phase of the Regional Trail Program, which was created and funded by a $10 million grant from the William Penn Foundation.  

The Regional Trail Program aims to provide funding for targeted, priority trail design, construction and planning projects that will promote a truly connected, regional network of multi-use trails (the Circuit) with Philadelphia and Camden as its hub. 

Phase III of the program provided capital funding for trail design and construction projects. Approximately $4 million was available for Phase III grants. Individual grant awards are capped at $500,000 and all projects require a 20 percent match. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in March and 31 proposals were submitted by the deadline in mid-April. The proposals were evaluated by a Selection Committee composed of Foundation representatives, PennDOT and NJDOT, DVRPC staff, and regional trail funders and advocates.

Based on Committee review and subsequent follow-up, the following 13 projects were recommended for funding and approved on Thursday by the DVRPC Board.

  1. Kinkora Trail - Mansfield Community Park Connector – Burlington County, Department of Resource Conservation – Grant request: $500,000 Total project cost: $1,440,000
  2. Ben Franklin Bridge Walkway Bicycle and Pedestrian Ramp – DRPA – Grant request: $400,000 Total project cost: $3,600,000
  3. Lawrence Hopewell Trail Carter Road East and West – Lawrence Hopewell Trail Corporation – Grant request: $250,000 Total project cost: $625,000
  4. Route 13-Green Lane Trail Connector – Bucks County TMA – Grant request: $249,000 Total project cost: $917,679
  5. Neshaminy Creek Greenway Design and Engineering (Chalfont and New Britain) – Chalfont Borough – Grant request: $188,768 Total project cost: $235,960
  6. Phoenixville Schuylkill River Trail Phase 2 – Phoenixville Borough – Grant request: $365,000 Total project cost: $457,000
  7. Darby Creek Stream Valley Park Trail – Delaware County – Grant request: $500,000 Total project cost: $700,000
  8. Newtown Square Rail Trail (Haverford) – Haverford Township – Grant request: $340,000 Total project cost: $425,000
  9. Tookany Creek Trail - Phase III – Cheltenham Township – Grant request: $400,000 Total project cost: $500,000
  10. Lansdale Liberty Bell Trail – Lansdale Borough – Grant request: $160,840 Total project cost: $201,050
  11. Tacony/Holmesburg Gap Waterfront Trail Design and Engineering – DRCC – Grant request: $300,000 Total project cost: $500,000
  12. Manayunk Bridge Trail Construction Engineering Services – Philadelphia - MOTU – Grant request: $60,000 Total project cost: $3,060,000
  13. Cobbs Creek Connector Trail – Philadelphia Parks and Recreation – Grant request: $275,000 Total project cost: $595,000

Total grant request amount for all 13 Phase III projects is $3,988,608.  The total match amount is $9,318,081 and the total cost of all the projects is $13,306,149.

Phase III represents the final amount of funding available from this program.  Future funding depends on the DVRPC board.  This is why the Circuit Coalition currently is running the Circuit Committment campaign, seeking a decision from the DVRPC Board to replenish the fund with $10 Milion over a three year period. 


Newtown Supervisors say 'Build that trail' (Delaware County News Network)

by Catherine Sutton-Martin
DCNN Correspondent

August 19, 2013

Newtown Supervisors, Aug. 12, told developer Nelson "Chip" Vaughan, in a 3-0 vote, "no thank you" to his proffered $70,000 "fee in lieu of," and told the developer to build the trail that was approved in August 2001, during the original land development plans and agreements.

Supervisor Chair Joe Catania and Supervisor George Wood were absent.

On Aug. 13, 2012, Vaughan and Springhouse Development Homeowners Association President Robert Zakian requested Newtown Supervisors "waive the requirement to install the trail to nowhere" for a $70,000 donation to the township.

The trail, which is supposed to run between Boot to Goshen roads, was a requirement for Planning Commission approval of the 17-lot subdivision in 2001.

Former Supervisor John Custer and former Planning Commission Chair John Battista urged the board to uphold agreements approved by previous boards and commissions -- the township Planning Commission, the Delaware County Planning Commission, the 2001 Board of Commissioners.

Custer was on the Board of Supervisors which approved the final land development plans that included a trail.

Battista was chair of the Planning Commission, which negotiated the trail "as an integral part of the trail system mentioned in the Master Plan."

Battista and Custer showed the board copies of The Site Plan and the "amenities" described in the promotional material for the development, showing the trail and a bulleted item about a "community walking trail and open space."

The Site Plan depicts the trail from Boot Road, through the open space, down to the loop road by the Manor Home, running down the roadway of the development, then bearing off the road out to more open space, then coming back to Springhouse Lane to Goshen Road.

Grace Olefather a resident in the Springhouse development, told the board there would be no easement from her, regarding the trail and that "$70,000 would better serve the township" perhaps to widen Goshen Road. She also mentioned that if the trail were to be built as depicted in the Site Plan, it would run down a common driveway and over a retaining wall.

"It's not about the money," said Supervisor H. Ross Lambert. "The original development plan had the trail. Build it."

Supervisor John Nawn noted that Toll Brothers is extending a trail from the John Wert House and also noted that BPG was putting in a trail in its plans for the town center.

"The trail was on the plans originally," said Nawn. "Let's not go backward" and threw his support in having the trail completed.

Ray Lopez of Old Forest Road told the board he supports Custer and Battista, saying “It would set a bad precedent to negate previous boards of supervisors."

On a different note regarding the Springhouse development, the board voted 3-0 to table the final release of a Performance Bond in the amount of $178,420 and accept dedication of Spring House and Carriage lanes.

Richard Sokorai, the township's solicitor, suggested the board postpone or table the issue of dedication "as there's deed description problems and issues of road repairs and the trail."

Tags: Goshen Trail

The Circuit Revolutionizes DVRPC's Long-Range Plan

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A new plan adopted by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has big impliations for connecting The Circuit.

On July 30th the DVRPC Board adopted Connections 2040 Plan for Greater Philadelphia. Connections 2040 is the long-range plan for the future growth and development of the DVRPC region. The plan includes land use, environmental, economic competitiveness, and transportation strategies, and puts forth a vision for investing in our transportation system.

The DVRPC plan looks ahead 25 years, and by law it must update that plan every 5 years. A key component of these plans is the list of major regional projects, which are the plan's largest and most significant set of identified projects. To accommodate The Circuit DVRPC created a new sub-category called "major regional bicycle and pedestrian projects." According to the plan there is enough funding available (based on current projections) to pay for about 75% of The Circuit by 2040 ($128M for PA and $99M for NJ).

The inclusion of The Circuit in this group of projects is a big win; the long-range plan has in effect set a target for investment. This makes the goals for the Circuit Committment campaign ($10M over the next 3 years) seem quite modest. But in reality most of the "shovel ready" trail projects are already in the pipeline for development. What is needed now is a big project design push to accellerate trail development over the next decade.

Tags: DVRPC

Help Connect the Circuit!

Let's Connect the Circuit!
emailimage_600w_resized_06_02
New Jersey Caucus Meeting
Take Actionhttps://www.facebook.com/bicycle.coalitionhttps://twitter.com/bcgp

To register for the Pennsylvania Caucus Meeting on June 17th, please click here!

To register for the New Jersey Caucus Meeting on June 19th, please click here!

Tags: DVRPC