chester valley trail extension to downingtown
Plans call for extending it westward to Downingtown. A map of the Chester Valley Trail and its new extension in Montgomery County. It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. 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. Hartman described the trail system like a humans circulatory system with the Cross County as the trail artery because it allows path users to make many connections to other major trails. This is a well built trail that travels down Pennsylvania's Great Valley. The trail is well used by walkers and bikers on weekdays but there was not so much traffic to make it feel crowded. Beautiful views and even have several mile of tree cover as well. I can see it used for recreation and basic transportation. TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy, We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors, Schuylkill River Trail by Trail Junction Center (75 E Lafayette St, Norristown) and 0.3 mile west of Indian Run St & Commerce Dr (Exton). Flat trail,asphalt paved from Exton,Pa to rte 29 in Frazer. 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. Only major crossing is at rte 29 by Wegmans but even there it's ok - wait for the crossing light. Got a question about life in Phillys suburbs? Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. My recommendation would be to drive further down (3-4 miles in the trail, around Penn medicine) and its getting quieter. You are riding through an urban area and along some highways. All Rights Reserved. Check or FAQs for more common login questions. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. This feasibility study and master plan will pick up where the Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown study leaves off and will identify and evaluate potential routes for extending the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) westward across the county to connect with the future 29-mile multi-use Enola Low Grade rail trail . Is it still there? The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. It is a nice long trail with things to see and do easily accessible from the trail. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. 527 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<30715B5F81D1434990890CD627567620>]/Index[501 42]/Info 500 0 R/Length 124/Prev 659292/Root 502 0 R/Size 543/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Lots of benches to stop and take a break. Enjoy! Chester Valley Trail Chester Valley Trail - 4a In Progress 6.34 1.04 Schuylkill River Trail Parkerford Road to Route 422 In Progress 5.71 4.11 Brandywine Creek Trail P&T Trail to Robbins Road Pipeline 5.83 0.30 Chester Valley Trail CVT Extension to Downingtown - P&T Line Pipeline 9.86 6.68 (Courtesy Montgomery County). The Exton end is very flat while the King of Prussia end has a few not-too-difficult hills. Currently, a 5.1 mile section is complete, connecting Montgomery County to . There are several stores to stop at for a break. 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 . Be careful here. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. Possible alignments are looked at the Route 30 Multimodal Transportation Study. Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. Sections not yet open to the public are posted as "NO TRESPASSING. Security issues and maintenance are coordinated by calling 610-344-5656. As a woman who typically runs alone, it's worth noting that I felt quite safe here (I'm not particularly paranoid but in today's times safety is a consideration now). Completed in 2010, this segment is already very popular with cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, joggers, dogwalkers and parents pushing young children in strollers. The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. The 1.3-mile section from Joshua Road to Stenton Avenue is projected to start construction in 2023. Now on that note it is a fun smooth ride. 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. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. In other areas, homes and office parks are along the way. Its just a little boring. But due to the many road crossings and that some of the trail is along major highways and that one is funneled to road crossings requiring sharp turns , I am giving this trail a 3 star rating. Routes 30 and 202 through central Chester County from West Whiteland Township east into Montgomery County. In the 3.1 miles out, I crossed 4 roads. 36.0 Seeking Funding TBD Paoli Pike Trail: Airport Road to Ellis Lane (Segment A) Multi-use trail along Paoli Pike (0.15 miles) . Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. Additionally, 202 can be a bit noisy. I can't wait for winter 2022 for extension to Sckuylkill river trail in Norristown. Construction of segments that will close the gap from Ship Road to Iron Lake Blvd. 501 0 obj <> endobj For a newbie, these crossings were sometimes confusing. We have ridden most of trail nice pavement easy road crossings very easy ride for family we park behind Swedesford shopping center plenty of parking. 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. Localized trails can link to the veins and the capillaries in the larger system. Montgomery County officials are moving forward with two major trail projects that will make it easier for folks to travel through the county on foot or bicycle. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? I'm basing my rating on comparison to other trails I've ridden. 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. Our first ride on the CVT was our last. Riding east, there is 2 miles round trip east of the trailhead off of S. Warner Rd; as w. the western end of the trail, it's ugly but at least more interesting. Nice trail in great condition. west to the Exton Wal-Mart. I find it to be a valuable addition to our time as a family. But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. this is not it! The route is a straight shot across the landscape, except for turns to accommodate busy road crossings. The Chester Valley Trail Extension passes through three municipalities, Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. Upper Dublin is taking the lead on designing and funding its section of the trail just over 4 miles from Pennsylvania Avenue up to Welsh Road. I parked at the lot off of Route 30 by the soccer fields. Its shaded much of the way and successfully hides the fact that it runs very close to the 202 expressway. Friends of the Chester Valley Trail has a Facebook page for current information, photos and quick responses to questions. Image via the Montgomery County Planning Commission. We started in King of Prussia and before long were at Wegman's in Malvern. Lots of bikers, walkers and families on this trail but majority were friendly as you passed. Maintenance and operation east of County Line Road should be directed to Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites. Some are ok and easy, some are a lot more difficult. Hours of operation are from 1/2 before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. Park benches were pretty common, too. The Downingtown Center is centrally located in Chester County, about 10 miles from the Exton Center. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. WHYY provides trustworthy, fact-based, local news and information and world-class entertainment to everyone in our community. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. 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. I will definitely be back. Its how we live. To cross Rt. The CVTE study is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2). This way you can have a nice picnic waiting for you in Exton Park. estimated completion in November 2013 from Paoli,cedar hollow road to Valley Forge Park. Very shady for hot days. Ask us a question or send an idea for a story you think we should cover. According to a recent Chester Valley Trail Extension survey, respondents would like to see a connection to historical landmarks along the Trail. There are many township parks and Valley Forge National Park along the trail or that connect to the trail. What is the Chester Valley Trail Extension? In the less congested western end, the trail utilizes short tunnels to cross US 202 and Swedesford Road.Theres no lack of fast food and restaurants in the retail centers along the eastern segment. There are lots of road crossings, and road noise from Route 202, but it was so pretty! Worth the travel from Maryland. 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. I love running on this trail! It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. In Exton, the crossing at Rt 100 is a mean 3-way dog-leg. Save for the small, unpaved section between Ship Road and the Valley Creek Corporate Center, each completed segment is user-friendly. The cost is estimated to be $1.5 million, which will be paid for using county bond funding, a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant, and a grant from Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Regional Trails Program/William Penn Foundation. I only walked a small section, about 3 miles but it was clean and perfect. It has already completed a feasibility study for one section. Use figures as determined by Chester Valley Trail Counters showed 477,092 users of the Chester Valley Trail, 68,225 on the Schuylkill River Trail and 350,713 along the Struble Trail, during 2021. (NJ drivers are less likely to stop than PA drivers.) 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. On our way out we encountered an injured raccoon in the middle of the trail that had been cleaned up on the way back. About the Trail Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown.The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester County's Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery County's Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown.Chester County is expecting to extend the . The Chester Valley Trail provides opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation in the congested commercial center at the northern edge of Greater Philadelphia. Pros - Relatively flat and straight. Montgomery County has seen a surge in trail users since the COVID-19 pandemic started. At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. The trail is broken up by numerous street crossings. But going further has major road crossings, and one enters into a major commercial area, and about a mile or so past that, the trail simply stops. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. We take a break while he plays on the playground and then off we go, back towards home. I biked this trail for the first time a week ago, end to end - just short of 15 miles each way. In all, we walk the dog, go for runs, ride our bikes, play on playgrounds and can even stop for a beerall while using one trail. For all practical purposes you have to cross three roads, each with a long wait for the light and crossing signal. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. Download a full copy of the final report and watch a short summary video of the recommended improvements. Please give today. Beware of the many road crossings, too many, and some of them are 4-lane roads- a little dangerous especially if your riding with little ones. Yes, some slight slopes, but nothing serious. 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. Also, its heavily used on the weekends making for a crowded ride. 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. Can't rate this trail until its finished but have high hopes for it. Definitely more downhill slope going towards King of Prussia. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery Countys trail system, Hartman said. 100 is chaotic! Home Planning Topics Transportation Trail Planning Chester Valley Trail Extension Study. The project has been in the works for three years. 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. If you're riding the entire trial, all the crossing can become a bit burdensome. It is also a very wide trail with plenty of passing room. 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. While the Chester Valley Trail West Study completed . Parking lot is large and new. 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. 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 recommend starting at KoP to make the return trip slightly downhill. Exton to Downington Section: The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. All motorists very considerate. First, in Exton, the crossing at Rt. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Enjoy. Luckily, I saw a gentleman and his daughter unloading bikes and asked - well, it was STILL not the easiest to find! Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! Heads up tho! 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. Officials plan to open the Chester Valley Trail extension this winter. The Chester County Planning Commission has officially unveiled a recommended route for the Exton-to-Downingtown extension of the Chester Valley Trail. You will really enjoy this one! The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. The westernmost portion, through the still largely undeveloped Exton Park, has an uneven, gravel and stone surface, which gives way to smooth asphalt next to the Valley Corporate Center and continues east to Route 29.