chester valley trail extension to downingtown
On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Montgomery County Commissioners joined with other local officials to cut the ribbon on the Chester Valley Trail Extension, a 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Work is currently underway to extend the trail roughly three miles further to reach the Schuylkill River Trail. This way you can have a nice picnic waiting for you in Exton Park. One mile of trail has already been built in Montgomery County. I found the use of audible signals or vocal warnings by those passing is also infrequent. The Chester Valley Trail Extension project is a 3.8-mile expansion of the Chester Valley Trail completed in March 2023. First of all, we had a late winter snow storm and this trail was cleared quite quickly and very well. Found it to be much easier to run on than the Valley Forge Freedom Trail since there were far less cyclists riding at high speeds. The trail takes visitors over the Schuylkill River in Norristown and provides access to view the new fish ladder at the Norristown Dam as well as opportunities to visit various shops, restaurants, and art galleries along the way. This trail is wide and very well maintained. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. SURE, it's EASY for someone who knows it already, which obviously includes those who designed it and put it together, and don't realize where the "fails" in the markings are, and NEXT time, and there WILL BE next TIMES, I'll know, but, again, there are places where it needs to be better marked. 36.0 Seeking Funding TBD Paoli Pike Trail: Airport Road to Ellis Lane (Segment A) Multi-use trail along Paoli Pike (0.15 miles) . It is primarily shady and completely flat which makes it perfect for long training runs. bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail x x x x x x bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail x x x bp 4 enola low grade extension multi-use trail x x x bp 5 struble trail extension x x x bp 6 chester valley trail west multi-use trail x x x bp 7 paoli pike trail: airport rd to line rd multi-use . If you are travelling a bit to get here and ride this trail you may want to hold off until it's finished because the KOP section is only a little over a mile. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. Little loud since your close to the interstate. Parts of the Chester Valley Trail are labeled as "Patriot's Path," a path proposed to connect the Paoli Massacre Site with Valley Forge National Historic Park. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. Chester Valley Trail spans 18.6 from Schuylkill River Trail by Trail Junction Center (75 E Lafayette St, Norristown) to 0.3 mile west of Indian Run St & Commerce Dr (Exton) . All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. The Trestle Bridge may be renovated for . The Chester Valley Trail Extension is a planned 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. Bike shops in Exton also make for easy service. It is estimated that there are over 85,000 jobs and 58,000 residents, as well as professional buildings, corporate centers and shopping malls along the trail in West Whiteland, East Whiteland, and Tredyffrin Townships. This includes the area known as "Battle of the Clouds," where an impending battle was cancelled due to torrential rains and dampened black powder, in the vicinity of Phoenixville Pike and Swedesford Road. Meet Our New Community Planning Director, Bill Deguffroy! SRPRA not to be confused with SEPTA is finally chugging along with plans to restore rail service connecting Reading, Pottstown, Phoenixville, and Philadelphia. There I are just enough small hills to make it interesting but not too steep.There is a clean restroom and water fountain at approximately 11 miles. Several new bridges have been constructed to carry the trail over local roads, while a few underpasses and culverts left over from the railroad, have been refurbished. TWICE, on the way back, I LITERALLY got LOST! The project study area includes 6 Chester County municipalities: Caln Township; Downingtown Borough; East Bradford Township; East Caln Township; West Bradford Township; and, West Whiteland Township. The completed $20.2 million trail will be 22 miles long. Starting from King of Prussia (South Gulph Road Parking Area) and riding out to West Whiteland Township Trailhead (Main Street at Exton), the ride is relatively flat with a slow and constant elevation gain. The trail is great. But that takes you to Boot Road. Pursue grant funding for design, right-of-way, and construction of the Chester Valley Trail Extension. The Downingtown Center is centrally located in Chester County, about 10 miles from the Exton Center. Elevated views, stunning valley scenes, and a canyon-like descent are all possible in a proposed 3.5-mile extension of the . I quite literally DID NOT KNOW WHERE the trail was! Complete municipal or multi-municipal bicycle/pedestrian/trail plans to identify potential local connections to the planned regional trail network, including the Chester Valley Trail and West Branch Brandywine Creek Trail. The 10- to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, which is open daily, 8 amsunset, has a slight uphill grade from King of Prussia to Exton. There is a 0.8-mile spur trail that splits from the main route by the intersection of Commerce Drive and S Pottstown Pike/Main Street. Image via the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Completion of multi -use trail from Exton to Thorndale : 23.0 ROW Acquisition 2024-2030 Chester Valley Trail West Completion of trail from Downingtown to Atglen . Extension to identify a preferred alignment and preferred bicycle/pedestrian facility types from Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail. The first section is in design and will extend the trail from Exton Town Center to near . We biked northeastward to the end of the trail along King of Prussia Blvd and returned to the Exton Trailhead and continued to the southwest end of the trail. During substantial snowstorms, the Chester Valley Trail will be open to cross-country skiing for brief periods; however, snowmobiling and any other motorized use are prohibited. Well maintained, paved, with plenty of shade. Enjoy. Our first ride on the CVT was our last. I rode the King of Prussia portion yesterday and I can't wait for it to be completed. When complete, the $6.2 million project will run 17.5 miles across the county, from the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken to the Pennypack Trail in Upper Moreland and Bryn Athyn. Alternately, Downingtown also has the Streubel Trail, on the other side of town. Chester County is actively working to extend the trail an additional five miles to the west into Downingtown with the first one mile leg currently under engineering review. Chester County park rangers patrol the trail. Flat and paved is always a welcome reprieve from crushed stone or otherwise. Once implemented, there will be an additional 10.1 miles of trail including three new trailheads and connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine trails in the Downingtown area. Trail category: Greenway/Non-RT. Please direct any questions or comments you may have to Brian Styche at bstyche@chesco.org. Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will . PennDot really needs to put in a crosswalk for the trail and walkers on the south side of Commerce Dr. As previously stated, the trail surface is smooth and well maintained. The Chester Valley Trail (CVT) is a Chester County project utilizing a former Reading Railroad right of way between Chester County's Struble Trail in Downingtown Borough, through the length of Tredyffrin Township, to the Chester County/Montgomery County line in King of Prussia. (NJ drivers are less likely to stop than PA drivers.) It really contributes to the quality of life for our residents, whether its in the form of recreation or as a commuting resource, said Bill Hartman, the countys trails and open space planning manager. Luckily, I saw a gentleman and his daughter unloading bikes and asked - well, it was STILL not the easiest to find! Definitely recommend for a family bike ride. About 3 miles of the trail already exist starting at the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken and going up to Germantown Pike. This unique corridor is a hidden gem that will provide for a safe and completely grade separated trail that will attract many users due to its scenic and historic quality and proximity to regional rail stations including Exton, Whitford, Downingtown, and Thorndale. On other crossings you just have to look carefully both ways. Yeah, there's a few road crossings, a couple of which are across 4-lanes, but, I'm not used to that, and it's one of those things that I can accept. The trail is well kept and access to many restaurants if you like that. We started in King of Prussia and before long were at Wegman's in Malvern. At some point during your activities on this trail, you will come across dear. 100 in the next phase and eventually all the way to Downingtown so you cannot yet gain access at Ship Rd. The 6.4 mile of the Chester Valley Trail is expanding in both directions with construction starting this month. For more information, please contact Brian Styche, CCPC's Transportation Services Director at 610-344-6285 or bstyche@chesco.org. There are several stores to stop at for a break. On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. Is the plan to connect to that?? MARKINGS!!! I will definitely be back for speed work and I will probably use it for my longer runs (10+ miles). Fortunately, this will likely change in the next few years, as major sections between Route 29 and Warner Road, and King of Prussia and Norristown, will close two of these gaps and create an unbroken trail from Ship Road to the Schuylkill River Trail. Separately, King of Prussia has committed to complete their 2 mile connector section by 2013 which will connect the Chester Valley Trail to the 50+ mile Schuykill River Trail system. Save for the small, unpaved section between Ship Road and the Valley Creek Corporate Center, each completed segment is user-friendly. There are lots of road crossings, and road noise from Route 202, but it was so pretty! All in all, this is a great trail and I'll be doing this again. The route is a straight shot across the landscape, except for turns to accommodate busy road crossings. Crossing the river via a protected pedestrian/bike lane on theNorristown Dam Bridge, theChester Valley Trail winds throughBridgeport and passes an old inn named for Frederick the Great. It's mostly flat, though, heading back West was a BIT more difficult than the ride East. Routes 30 and 202 through central Chester County from West Whiteland Township east into Montgomery County. The only drawback is crossing several roads which could be a challenge at busy times, and could be a negative for bikers. I have ridden the paved portion many times with my seven year old daughter and she has no problems making a round trip. But, there are a lot of BUSY road crossings on this trail; most with road crossing signals. I like this trail for early season rides or when riding with a group of mixed ability. Plans call for extending it westward to Downingtown. Because of all of the rain this, have ridden this & other paved trails more than I would like. It is great to have a trail so close to the Mainline. Path users will be able to connect to other major trails with a plethora of directional possibilities they could walk or ride west to the Perkiomen Trail and travel all the way to Green Lane Park in Perkiomenville. The historic Reading Railroad is planning a comeback as Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority holds its first meeting. If your looking for a relaxing ride this trail isnt for you. It's an easy 30mi (end-to-end and back again). walkers too. And there is a massive hill between that area, and where the Downingtown Trail is along 322. Completing this trail gap between two of the areas most significant Circuit Trails is a significant milestone in the regions trail development efforts. The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. View Final Report; View Final Appendix; Project Description. It has since been investing in pre-existing and new trails across the county, and making huge strides. The trail has a slight downhill grade from the Exton Trailhead to its southwest end (Between Rt 100 and S.Whitford Rd) and is about 2 miles one way. The only crossing that is a real pain is going over Route 100 if you want to ride past Main Street at Exton. I imagine some of this has to do with the newness of the trail. The renovated and relocated inn, which contains offices for the local chamber of commerce, stands 0.3 mile from the trail. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. And don't get your hopes up when you see the 0.5 mile sign, there is still another mile or so to go. Smooth asphalt trail and well maintained with lots of shaded areas. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. It then continues for an additional 1500 feet before abruptly dead-ending at a clump of bushes. Chester Valley Trail - Montgomery County Parks, Trails, & Historic Sites, Chester Valley Trail - Chester County Parks & Recreation. Took several minutes (and several again on the way back). The county will also connect that part of the Cross County Trail at Stenton Avenue to the Wissahickon Trail with a new 2-mile extension. The trail will be constructed to be 10-12 feet wide with an asphalt or concrete surface. I like having access to it at different points. I love this trail. The good news for bicyclists is that the trail is flat, wide, smooth, and fairly scenic as it winds past parks, forested land, and streams. Weve ridden short distances on this trail toward King of Prussia ( ride to K of P Town Center and eat outside at one of the many restaurants) but last week was Our first excursion towards Exton. Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. (Courtesy of Montgomery County). 542 0 obj <>stream If you're riding the entire trial, all the crossing can become a bit burdensome. Wide and clean, this trail is well suited for recreational riders. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. Ran to the left after parking. It was a weekday so I did not have any problems with traffic. This trail dose have some potential, I have no idea how is managing it. Just needs to be MARKED better at several places! Cons - The scenery is less than ideal. All blacktop! To cross Rt. Very well-kept and nicely made. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan.We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphia's regional trail network. Highly recommended!! The CVTE study is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). Brandywine Conservancy is working with Caln Township and the Chester County Planning Commission on a feasibility study for its portion of Chester County's Chester Valley Trail West extension, which the previously completed study refers to as the "Beaver Creek Trail.". The project was funded primarily by the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ), along with capital improvement funds provided by Montgomery County. The park commemorates a Revolutionary War attack in 1777 that was foiled by a horrific thunderstorm that drenched the soldiers gunpowder.Another 1.3 miles ahead is Exton Park, which covers 727 acres and features a pond, picnic sites, and trails. I am looking forward to the completion! My brother and I rode this asphalt trail. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. Nice trail in great condition. Got a question about life in Phillys suburbs? Trail is crowded with multiple users- bikes, jiggers, skateboarders, etc. The third required me to navigate a high traffic intersection. Only major crossing is at rte 29 by Wegmans but even there it's ok - wait for the crossing light. Please give today. Nice trail with smooth asphalt for inline skating. Duane Morris investigation into Central Bucks finds no discrimination against LGBTQ students, Shapiro signs first bill, expands Pa. health insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, 3 unions at Rutgers University have reached tentative agreements. Enjoy! The road noise, mostly from 202, and the several crossings (Rt 100 could really benefit from a bridge) stop me from giving it 5 stars. The new trail was constructed as a 10- to 12-foot-wide, paved, multi-use path that is part of the Circuit Trails network, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails in the Greater Philadelphia region . The Chester Valley Trail is a multi-use, rail-to-trail facility that roughly follows U.S. Counties: Chester. Work on the Chester Valley Trail has been ongoing since 1991 when representatives from Montgomery County, Chester County, and PennDOT first envisioned it. The 1.9-mile section of the Cross County Trail from Germantown Pike to Joshua Road is in the study phase. It might get a little boring. Fourth very nice bathroom and parking area at Exton Park on Church Farm Road. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. I have a pretty poor sense of direction and never once had an issue finding the trail, just look for the green trail signs at road intersections. Fairly flat, and blacktop from start to finish, an easy ride even for beginners. I have a Mountain bike, but this trail is good for road bikes as well. We saw a park ranger marking trees for maintenance on our way, too. The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. pts 4 downingtown train station rail station, parking, ped access bp 2 chester valley trail extension to downingtown multi-use trail bp 3 chester valley trail: exton to oaklands multi-use trail bp 12 brandywine trail ext: bradford av to boot rd multi-use trail bp 30 business 30: lloyd ave to train station streetscapes endobj 3164 0 obj >/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[85A11EC3E497704D9DBE9723DD859F08>]/Index[3150 26]/Info 3149 0 R/Length 79/Prev 22770029/Root 3151 0 R/Size 3176/Type/XRef/W . By Mark Hostutler. Very shady for hot days. Park benches were pretty common, too. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester Countys Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery Countys Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. Leaving Bridgeport, the route curves south and then west as it meanders through King of Prussia, a community named for a local Colonial-era inn built in 1719. The trail would be just over a mile long and expand the practicality of connecting these two major transportation facilities. Portions of the trail are parallel to, or coincide with, 18th Century, Revolutionary War movements by Washington's Continental Army and British General Cornwallis' troops, after the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. Once complete this trail will connect Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Atglen and points in between with the . I can see it used for recreation and basic transportation. The landscape opens up beyond here, with more farms and less congestion.While Valley Forge is located north of the trail, other historic locations of the Revolutionary War are closer by. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Can't wait for the expansions to be completed in the coming years and ride from Downingtown to Philadelphia. Heads up tho! The trail parallels US 202, which youll barely notice as you travel through a wooded corridor that opens up to farmland approaching Exton. The Chester Valley Trail currently runs from Exton, in Chester County, to the Schuylkill Expressway in King of Prussia. (Not sure how busy it is one weekends.) But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. We've started at both the Exton end and the King of Prussia end (2 different days) and in both cases rode about 7 miles to Media, where we had lunch, and then did the return trip. Does anyone know where I can park close to the trail around Wayne without the risk of getting towed? This trail is such a tease, because once it is fully finished it will be a great ride. Thank you to all those who backed this trail and work to maintain it. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. From that point, Montgomery County has built a link over the Schuylkill Expressway to South Gulph Road in Upper Merion. Its just a little boring. So I visited the trail for the first time today. This trails brings me such joy! lacks trail etiquette And mostly I hated the busy road crossings from Malvern on. To get from Clover Mill Road to Boot Road, and then down 322 to where the existing trail begins, there is a massive hilly area. Overall, again, a NICE TRAIL! Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions. For a few miles you are riding next to I-76 so you will hear traffic but it is not deafening. The trail section near Exton out to CFS has a lot of points where you cross traffic so be careful. The trail is paved from Morehall rd to N Ship rd except for about a mile. Our suburban reporters want to hear from you! The newly extended 22-mile Chester Valley Trail will connect Chester and Montgomery counties to Philadelphia. States: Pennsylvania. . Have ridden this trail several times. East Branch Brandywine Trail Facts. I did not cross Rt 29 (not necessary if only doing a 10 mileryou can run a little more near the parking lot in Exon to supplement the small shortage), but all other street crossings were simple and very well marked. I love running on this trail! The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. The trail extension project included the installation of two new pedestrian bridges at South Gulph Road and Henderson Road, and the enhancement of two existing bridges. I spent an hour trying to get to it off of ship road and route 30. Can't rate this trail until its finished but have high hopes for it. This feasibility study and master plan continues the planning work from the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) Extension to Downingtown study and recommends the primary routing for the remainder of the CVT westward through Chester County. The trail is used for commuting, exercise, and recreation by a variety of users including, walkers, joggers, cyclists, and inline skaters. I highly recommend biking 14 miles one way but do not make the return trip. I've definitely struggled a bit with the acclimation to some of the 'hillier' trails in PA/DA. The recommended alignment connects the existing CVT to the inactive Philadelphia and Thorndale (P+T) line, which runs parallel to but separate from the SEPTA/Amtrak main line for 7.4 miles. Much of the trail has a nice canopy of trees. Looking forward to more rides! If the CVT was designed for such high speeds there would be mandatory lanes for bike riders. The paved trail will be 12 feet wide, off-road, and designed for both cyclists and pedestrians for recreation and commuting. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The paved rail-trail rolls for just under 19 miles between King of Prussia and Exton, encouraging a variety of users, such as stroller-pushing parents, colleagues on a walking meeting, or cyclists seeking a quick 40-miler.The trail uses the corridor of the Chester Valley Branch of the Reading Railroad, which was completed between Bridgeport and Downingtown in the 1850s; the line hauled freight into the late 20th century (passenger traffic ended in 1935). I WILL be back, probably many times. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. Along the trail are some new bridges one in Bridgeport over railroad tracks, one above South Gulph Road in King of Prussia, and one over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township. They are rarely on the trail and more so in the nearby woods. For all practical purposes you have to cross three roads, each with a long wait for the light and crossing signal. There are a fair amount of road crossing with two being busy four lane highways but they all either have signals or stop signs. Youll pass several small parks with picnic tables: DAmbrosia Park at 4 miles, Cedar Hollow Park at 6.6 miles, and Ecology Park at 10.1 miles. Will definitely ride it on our next trip to PA. This was our longest ride since starting back to riding and we were wooped at the end. I look forward to learning how to connect, on the east end, to the Schuylkill River Trail that goes all the way to Center City (PHL). You are riding through an urban area and along some highways. 501 0 obj <> endobj Those two pieces are projected to be completed by the end of 2024. The installation of the new bridge over Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township for the Chester Valley Trail. There are several road crossings that require (and have) crossing controls. despite what the map may indicate. First envisioned in 1991, the numerous disjointed segments of the Chester Valley Trail are finally starting to come together. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. Good track to work on your speed. Some covered sections provide shade. It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. Length: 2.5 miles. First time users of the CVT. The CVT gets a bit dense with crossings, cars and highway noise at either end. The remote sections are nice and trail well maintained but would choose a different trail next time. The trail surface was all asphalt and was in superb condition; no buckling, smooth as glass. We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphias regional trail network. A 3.8-mile eastward extension to Norristown opened in March 2023 and connects the trail to the Schuylkill River . I started at the King of Prussia park and ride, and biked to Exton and returned. The Chester Valley Trail now stretches 13.5 miles in Chester County, from the Montgomery County border and running through Tredyffrin, East Whiteland, and West Whiteland townships. Public Meeting #2: 'Alternatives Analysis Review / DRAFT Recommended Alignment' was held March 30th at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. The Chester County Commissioners accepted the plan at their December meeting to close out the grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program that partially funded the study. The new 3.9 miles will run through Upper Merion Township and Bridgeport Borough to Norristown, where it will then connect with the Schuylkill River Trail. Map of the Cross County Trail in Montgomery County. I find it to be a valuable addition to our time as a family. Speedy road bikers may not like the many road crossings over a 12 mile stretch, but a great addition to the trail system. It's a fine trail if you like to walk or run. One was in a development and had no traffic. We won't bother with that again. However, when bikers traveling over 20mph on the trail choose to pass in the middle of the trail, where there is east and west bound congestion, the risk they create for collision is a serious threat to everyone. This trail is paved, 12 feet in width, and will eventually be 22 miles long. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. Second, I love the quarter mile markers. However, the fact that several major segments remain unbuilt, necessitating lengthy detours on busy roads, give the trail a low overall rating. The extension project also included building three new pedestrian bridges (South Gulph Road, Henderson Road, and Boro Line Road) and updating two bridges for pedestrian/bike use. Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. It mostly was funded with federal dollars through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ); Montgomery County spent about $1.97 million of its own capital funds.
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chester valley trail extension to downingtown
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