Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe were on hand recently to celebrate new funding for trails in Chester County.
Greater Philadelphia is now leading the nation in utilizing federal Carbon Reduction Program funds for active transportation, and Chester County is celebrating this major moment for the region.
In late July, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commissioner adopted the FY25 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which includes $120 million in federal Carbon Reduction Program funding to connect significant segments of the Circuit Trails championed by the Circuit Trails Coalition in four major corridors—including the Chester Valley Trail. Paired with other funding sources, the total potential investment in the Circuit Trails network is more than $200 million.
On Saturday, Aug. 10, Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz and Eric Roe joined nearly 30 Circuit Trails advocates for a 5.9-mile bike ride exploring the future extension of the Chester Valley Trail funded by the TIP Carbon Reduction Program funds in Downingtown.
“We believe in Chester County that it is important to expand our Circuit Trails and invest more in our public spaces. Having that connectivity in southeastern Pennsylvania is an economic driver for the region, and we’re really excited to champion this for our communities,” said Josh Maxwell, Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners and Chairman of the DVRPC Board.
Connected trail and active transportation systems are at the center of this landmark moment due to the support and collaboration of county commissioners in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties and the support of partners across the region.
“This landmark investment in trail networks underscores how important walking and biking infrastructure is to helping people across our region get around without a car,” said Patrick Starr, Chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition. “This victory puts us one step closer to our goal of completing 500 miles by 2025 and is thanks to the leadership of DVRPC and the region’s county commissioners. The Circuit Trails network shows how to prioritize investments in walking and biking infrastructure that make a difference to the health of people and the planet.”
The Chester Valley Trail: Phase I project will utilize $6 million of Carbon Reduction Program funding to construct the first phase of a planned seven-mile trail along the alignment of the former Philadelphia and Thorndale Branch (P&T Line) corridor. Eventually, this trail will extend through the county to connect several townships and reach other portions of the Schuylkill to Susquehanna Greenway in Lancaster County. This segment of the P&T Line will begin at the trail’s intersection with Ship Road and proceed east to cross the Whitford Bridge and continue over the Downingtown Trestle, extending to near Gallagherville Road.
