Chester County Cycling Coalition –

Status Report on projects of interest for meeting on May 17, 2010

Updates since March are highlighted in red text

★ General Interest

Landscapes2, Chester County’s Comprehensive Policy Plan

http://www.landscapes2.org

Chester County Bikeway Functional Classification Map Link

http://dsf.chesco.org/webapps/planning/map_gallery_maps/d-bikenetwork.pdf

Chester County Transportation Related Reports and Resources

http://www.chesco.org/planning/transportation  

★ Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Draft FY11 – FY14 TIP Public Comment Period:  June 1^st to 30^th

DVRPC will release the Draft FY11 – FY14 TIP for public review and comment from June 1^st to 30^th.  Go to http://www.dvrpc.org/tip/ after June 1^st to review the draft, learn about public meetings, and provide comments on the TIP. 

DVRPC’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Online Mapping

http://www.dvrpc.org/asp/TIPsearch/2009/PA/map.asp

★ PennDOT Projects

US 202 – Section 100

MPMS 15385

PennDOT is working with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to close the environmental process and is developing a technical report that will summarize the alternatives analysis and include an implementation plan for the improvements.  The multi-modal evaluation will be addressed in the report and bike/ped improvements will likely be part of the implementation plan.

US 322 Bridge over the Brandywine Creek (South of Downingtown) Replacement

MPMS 69647

Due to weight and height restrictions on neighboring bridges in the Downingtown area, PennDOT is currently designing the structure on a new alignment rather than the current bridge alignment. This technique will allow the old bridge to remain open as the new bridge is constructed. The construction staging of the project will therefore not require a local vehicle detour; although PennDOT is planning to sign a regional detour, directing through traffic to use PA 100 & US 30 via Exton instead of US 322. PennDOT is still investigating whether a bicycle detour will be warranted for the project given the replacement technique. PennDOT agreed that if they identify the need for a bicycle detour that they will seek input from the Chester County Planning Commission, the municipalities, and bicycle advocacy groups.  Construction is currently scheduled to begin in Spring 2011.

★ Turnpike Projects (http://www.paturnpike.com/improve/improve_map.aspx)

PA 29 Slip Ramps

• The PA 29 Slip Ramp project is still officially on hold.  The Turnpike Commission’s justification for not moving forward with construction of the slip ramps is due to sound wall concerns for the Widening Project from Milepost 320 to 326.  Design is complete and construction could begin if design issues on the widening project are resolved.

Widening from Milepost 320 to 326 (King of Prussia to PA 29)

• The Turnpike Commission’s announced on April 26, 2010 that they will move forward with the design of the widening from milepost 320 to 326.  This announcement was in response to their official suspension of the design last year (March 24, 2009).  The announcement reflects that the Turnpike Commission is “comfortable” with the stormwater design and is moving forward with right-of-way acquisitions necessary for the project.  The PA 252 Bridge was replaced and the replacement of the Mill Rd. bridge is currently in final design with construction tentatively scheduled to begin in 2010. 

★ Chester County Projects

Chester Valley Trail – Phase I (Exton Park to PA 29)

MPMS 14663

• Construction is underway and anticipated to be complete by August 2010 (possibly sooner). 

Chester Valley Trail – Phase II (PA 29 to King of Prussia)

MPMS 14675

• Design is underway and construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2011.

Schuylkill River Trail – Phase I (Cromby/Phoenixville to Linfield Rd.)

• Construction is underway and anticipated to be complete by Fall 2010 with a gravel surfaced trail.

Schuylkill River Trail – Phase II (Linfield Rd. to 422 Crossing/Montgomery County)

• MPMS 61885
• Design and right-of-way acquisition is underway.

Vision Partnership Program (VPP) Municipal Planning Grants

Contact Jake Michael (jmichael@chesco.org) at the Planning Commission for additional information about the plans and studies listed below.

• Patriots Path Feasibility Study:  The study was completed and was recently adopted by all thee municipalities.
• ·Northern Federation Recreation and Tourism Study:   The inventory for this 9 municipality study has been gathered. During the spring there were meetings with stakeholders such as sports leagues, trail users, etc.   In the fall, the consultant will develop draft recommendations based on stakeholder input. 
• White Clay Creek Trail Study: The study was completed and approved by all three municipalities.  Meeting this summer will determine the next steps for this project. 
• ·Malvern Comprehensive Plan and Willistown Comprehensive Plan: Both municipalities are coordinating their efforts to plan for a trail network that would link Willistown to Malvern Borough, which is informally being called "Patriots Path South."  These plans will be done in 2011 or 2012.
• Kennett Square Comprehensive Plan: This project is just beginning, but will include a trail plan that may extend out from the Borough into Kennett Township and East Marlborough.
• Toonerville Trolley Trail in Schuylkill Township: The township acquired a parcel for parkland which is well-suited to be a destination for this conceptual trail corridor.
• Hopewell Big Woods Trails and Recreation Concept Plan: Was completed by the National Park Service. It calls for two large loop trails in Northern Chester County.
• Battle Path Planning: The Brandywine Battlefield Task Force compiled a preliminary concept memo regarding a trail link between the Brandywine State Historic Site in Chadds Ford and Sandy Hollow Park in Birmingham Township where much of the battle was fought.  A meeting with municipal officials has been scheduled for this summer.