Regional Trail News: Work Continues, and a Big Announcement Is Approaching

The weather is warming, and we're flocking to our regional trails for exercise, transportation, and leisure. Here are some updates on what's happening in the Greater Philadelphia Region, trail-wise:

Press Conference Announcement - May 31st at 2:00 PM 

We are one of 20 regional organizations which will be gathering at Schuylkill Banks under the Walnut Street Bridge for a major press conference concerning our regional trail system. Stay tuned to our blog for more news about this as the date draws near, but let us just say that the mayors of both Philadelphia and Camden will be in attendance, and we will be introducing the world to a new way to get out on the trails this summer.

Trail Construction Updates

As reported before, several new trails around the region are under construction and coming on line soon. Here are updates on those projects:

Along the PECO ROW

A new section of the Schuylkill River Trail is going in between Shawmont and Port Royal Avenue, along the PECO right of way above Nixon Street.  This new section will be accessible from the intersection of Shawmont and Nixon Street and connects directly to the trail at Port Royal.  When completed, biking on Nixon Street will no longer be necessary.

Intersection of Nixon and Shawmont St.

View of Philly Skyline from new
SRT at Bartram's Garden 

Down at the other end of Philadelphia, the Schuylkill River Trail at Bartram's Garden is coming along.  This trail will begin at its property line down by the Schuylkill River and end on Harley Street.  An opening celebration is scheduled for June 21st at 2:30pm.

The Gray's Ferry Crescent, tucked in between Gray's Ferry Avenue and the 34th Street Bridge has been open for a while, but is getting its own ribbon cutting on June 11, 2012 at 11am.  This new part of Schuylkill Banks is a 3,700 foot-long bicycle and pedestrian trail, plus several walking trails totaling another 1,600 feet.

Patrick Starr and others checking out the
58th St. Greenway construction

The 58th Street Greenway is expected to be complete in the fall.

Exton Park Trailhead. Source:
 Friends of the Chester Valley Trail on Facebook

The Exton Park Trailhead of  the Chester Valley Trail is slated to open soon and will extend the paving on the west end of the trail by about a mile. Phase 2 from Malvern to the Montgomery County Line began construction in April is scheduled to be open by the fall of 2013.

US 202 Parkway south of Doylestown
Source: US202-700.com

The US 202 Bikeway trail is nearing completion but won't be open until the US 202 Parkway (with bike lanes) opens in the fall. A connection to the Doylestown Bike Hike Network is also being built adjacent to Wells Rd. Prior to its opening Doylestown Township will a host a "Party on the Parkway" ciclovia event on Sunday, September 16th



Construction of a new adjacent sidewalk/boardwalk plus on-road sharrows has begun in the Bordentown Township as part of the Delaware River Heritage Trail. Sharrows are being painted along streets in Bordentown Borough. The trail will connect directly with the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath to Trenton.