You are viewing 3 posts with the tag The Circuit
Comment On The 2014 NJ TIP
The TIP or Transportation Improvement Program is a regional priority list of federally funded transportation projects that are in the development pipeline. Metropolitan Planning Organizations are required to compile the TIP by law and must allow the public to comment.
The Delaware Valley Planning Commission has opened open up its Draft 2014 NJ Transportation Improvement Program for public comment. Concurrently DVRPC is accepting comments for the NJDOT 2014 State Transportation Improvement Program(STIP) which is more commonly known at the Capital Program.
A public meeting and information session will be held: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 2013 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Cherry Hill Free Public Library
1100 Kings Highway North
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-1970
In addtion to the commenting via the mapping tool, DVRPC encourages the public to submit comments on the Draft TIP by email to ; After consideration of the public comments, the DVRPC Board may adopt the Draft TIP with any recommended changes at the July 25, 2013 Board meeting.
The TIP is an excellent opportunity to ask DVRPC, the NJ Counties and NJDOT to replenish the Regional Trails Fund. When you explore the map you may notice that there is only one Circuit project on the TIP (in Gloucester County). Finally NJDOT is still trying to figure out what to do with a $40 million of unobligated Transportation Enhancements funds, encourage them to spend it on trail projects before the Feds take it all back.
On the positive side NJ DOT saved the Safe Routes to Schools programs by using Highway Safety Funds to pay for the program (Congress took away the money in MAP-21). If you do send comments don't forget to thank them for that important accomplishment.
Chester Valley Trail Update - A Tale Of Two Counties
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| Chester Valley Trail Phase 2 east of Cedar Hollow Rd: Photo Friends of the Chester Valley Trail on Facebook |
But let's start with the abundance of good news. The pace of the development of the Chester Valley Trail in Chester County is breathtaking, reminiscent of Montgomery County's 3 year marathon to build the Perkiomen Creek Trail ten years ago. Phase 1 was opened in September 2010; Phase 2 is 65% complete with most of the trail overlaid with a stone base with some sections already paved. The heavy lifting of this project will be the completion of bridges over North Valley Road and Valley Forge Road and a culvert (tunnel) under Warner Rd. Look for a late summer (September) or early fall opening.
Meanwhile Phase 3 has recently received approvals that will help close a gap in the trail near the Exton Square Mall. The Chester Valley Trail website gives Phase 3 a general completion date in 2013. West Whiteland Township is also laying the groundwork to conduct a study for extending the trail one mile west out to Whitford Rd.
In Montgomery County, a two mile stretch along the recently acquired East Penn Railroad Right of Way is scheduled to go out to bid for construction later this year.This would leave a two mile gap between Saulin Blvd and South Gulph Road in Upper Merion Township.
Which brings us to the PA Turnpike Authority. This quasi-public organization recently rejected Montgomery County's request to obtain a 1/2 mile easement parallel to the Turnpike. The County currently has zero local matching dollars budgeted (this could change in the next three months) to explore and engineer alternatives.
To our knowledge, the Turnpike has not given a public explanation as to why they would stand in the way of a regionally significant trail project. Is there another widening project planned? Does it have anything to do with SEPTA's proposed alignment of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia? The reality is that in this heavily developed and trafficked area with few bike or walking options, right of ways for this trail are few and far between. Our fear is that having the County go back to the drawing board may set back the project for years and result in a loss of the federal dollars already obligated to the project.
The best course of action is for the Turnpike Authority to go back to the negotiating table with Montgomery County and find a way to help complete its segments of the Chester Valley Trail. The Bicycle Coalition mailed a letter to that effect to the Turnpike Authority last week and copied the Montgomery County and Chester County commissioners.
View Larger Map
The right of way in question at the intersection of S. Henderson Rd in Upper Merion
September Circuit Workshops in Jenkintown and Doylestown
Learn how to make biking better in your town by attending a Biking the Suburbs Workshop hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.
Do you want your community to be bicycle friendly? This workshop will address understanding what to ask for, building local support, securing funds, and getting the attention of your elected officials in order to make it happen You can also learn all about the Circuit, our burgeoning regional trail network, and how you can use this powerful tool to ensure your favorite trail gets built and is well maintained. ConnectTheCircuit.org maps out the Circuit.
Register for the 9/13 Jenkintown workshop (6-8pm) at Grace Church here
Register for the 9/29 Doylestown workshop (2-4pm) at the Doylestown Library here
