PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia area could soon become greener and more connected if a proposed landmark federal investment in the Circuit Trails network comes to pass.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s recent draft of its fiscal year 2025 Transportation Improvement Program includes connective projects for four major corridors. Those include the Spring Garden Street Greenway, Cross County Trail, Chester Valley Trail and Route 291 Trail/East Coast Greenway.
Nearly $90 million in funding from a mix of federal sources, including the Carbon Reduction Program, could be invested in those projects. Once complete, it would establish over 800 miles of walkable and bikeable trails.
“The ultimate goal for all of us is that you will be able to get around our region, not just around your town, around our region without getting in a car and do it safely and enjoyably,” said Delaware County Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer.
“The status quo is putting all your money into the roads and the bridges, and it's important that our decision makers understand that while that is all important, investing in infrastructure for alternate forms of transportation is equally as important.”
Pennsylvania Environmental Council Executive Vice President Patrick Starr says involvement in the program helps keep work on the trails moving at a steady pace. “Trail funding has long been a time-consuming and competitive process of seeking project-specific grants that delays trail creation and disadvantages under-resourced communities,” he said.
“Inclusion in the DVRPC TIP on a corridor basis allows for flexibility as trail development projects advance while guaranteeing that construction funding for fully-designed trails is budgeted in the TIP regional transportation infrastructure capital plan.”
One of their priority projects is the East Coast Greenway, which includes Route 291 going up the coast connecting Delaware to the Philadelphia International Airport area. That will become part of the 9/11 Memorial trail.
“That is a major highway that is really inaccessible on bikes and pedestrians right now,” said Schafer. “It connects probably 20 major employers to the city of Chester, and its sister cities. When this is finished, those households will be able to go to work on their bikes safely.”
Schaefer, who is also executive director of the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, says public comment is needed to ensure the projects get the green light. The public comment period runs through June 24 at 5 p.m.
“The public comment is so valuable because really steering significant investments into this type of infrastructure is kind of going away from the status quo. It takes a lot of energy and time and convincing and advocacy,” she said.
The funding would help the Circuit Trails Coalition’s goal of completing 500 miles by 2025 and creating connectivity for safe and convenient walking and biking routes for the entire region.