The trail is suppose to be 12 wide and it is in places but at most crossings it is a maze to get through especially when the traffic is heavy and a wide range of people from novices to experienced road bikers who are impatient with the rest of us. Noise from 202 was blocked mostly by a wall. The construction of the Chester Valley Trial extension to Downingtown will be completed in two phases. This extension of the existing 13.5 mile trail will provide connections to the existing Struble and East Branch Brandywine Trails in the Downingtown area. Only about 500 ft of total elevation after doing a down and back. Went for a bike ride on this trail with my boys and it was fantastic! For a newbie, these crossings were sometimes confusing. But, there are a lot of BUSY road crossings on this trail; most with road crossing signals. 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. That said, my husband and I have greatly enjoyed biking from Paoli to Exton with our 3 year old. Our first ride on the CVT was our last. 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. The Trestle Bridge may be renovated for . The eastern most section was recently added which extends the trail to Montgomery county. Its how we live. I did this trail back in 2011 and was not thrilled. Once complete this trail will connect Downingtown, Coatesville, Parkesburg, Atglen and points in between with the . First, in Exton, the crossing at Rt. 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. The Chester Valley Trail provides opportunities for recreation and alternative transportation in the congested commercial center at the northern edge of Greater Philadelphia. The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. A few road crossings but they are not too busy and safe. So in conclusion, if in the area and want to get a few miles in, give this a try. You will really enjoy this one! The result will be an amazing trail system for uninterrupted long trail rides. So there ends up being lots more stop and go along the path. Chester Valley Trail Extension Study Public Meeting #2: 'Alternatives Analysis Review / DRAFT Recommended Alignment' was held March 30th at the West Whiteland Township Main Meeting Room. I think between the western park and County line Rd it runs about 12 miles and that is like 100 miles and novice seniors like myself. So, if you are riding this trail roundtrip and want to be riding downhill on the return trip, then I suggest that you park at the King of Prussia Trailhead. Also a lot of stops because of those roads. First time users of the CVT. But on this trap I had a great ride from the Malvern trail head. Overall a great trail! There are about a dozen road crossings, a couple across major highways. %%EOF Emily Rizzo is WHYY News suburban reporter covering Bucks and Montgomery counties. There are also many cross streets which will slow your time considerably, even though most of them are secondary roads. Ironton Trail near Coplay PA & the southern Henry Hudson Trail near Freehold NJ are also paved & shady, but they are no where near as long. One was in a development and had no traffic. They are rarely on the trail and more so in the nearby woods. I have a Mountain bike, but this trail is good for road bikes as well. Other riders were friendly and there were Next time I'll know, but the first time was not easy. Overall, I think CVRT is more a commuter trail than recreational trail. I just moved up to PA from FL a few months ago and while I've been an avid runner for some time, frankly the Florida topography, at least on the East coast, doesn't do much by way of hill conditioning. It will link the existing 14.5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail to the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. The trail is great. There are several stores to stop at for a break. It is also a very wide trail with plenty of passing room. I can see how they might run a paved path along Clover Mill Road. Become a member and wear your FREE T-Shirt with pride. (Not sure how busy it is one weekends.) The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. The Spring Garden Street Greenway would connect the Schuylkill River Trail and the Delaware River Trail, creating safe passage across Philadelphia. Anyone who knows, I would appreciate it. Is it still there? I use those for track type running workouts. Battery-powered wheelchairs, dog walking under leash, and strollers are also permitted. I think "they" should bring in a group of "test," first-time-on-the-trail riders, and, individually, have them see if they run into the same problems I did. Fortunately, this will likely change in the next few years, as major sections between Route 29 and Warner Road, and King of Prussia and Norristown, will close two of these gaps and create an unbroken trail from Ship Road to the Schuylkill River Trail. It is great to have a trail so close to the Mainline. Only major crossing is at rte 29 by Wegmans but even there it's ok - wait for the crossing light. It is flat, shady and immaculately maintained. First envisioned in 1991, the numerous disjointed segments of the Chester Valley Trail are finally starting to come together. Just need to be attentive around mile 7.5 when the trail seems to end -- it doesn't just need to go left at the PNC Bank. Sections not yet open to the public are posted as "NO TRESPASSING. Security issues and maintenance are coordinated by calling 610-344-5656. Flat trail,asphalt paved from Exton,Pa to rte 29 in Frazer. Beautiful views and even have several mile of tree cover as well. a wide variety of athletes will find it very accommodating. A map of the Chester Valley Trail and its new extension in Montgomery County. I found the use of audible signals or vocal warnings by those passing is also infrequent. This unique corridor is a hidden gem that will provide for a safe and completely grade separated trail that will attract many users due to its scenic and historic quality and proximity to regional rail stations including Exton, Whitford, Downingtown, and Thorndale. Even saw a group walking with a large American flaga great bonus to our Labor Day ride! Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each year. Separately, King of Prussia has committed to complete their 2 mile connector section by 2013 which will connect the Chester Valley Trail to the 50+ mile Schuykill River Trail system. the trail crossed a road. Help is close by if you have any type of accident or need help. I look forward to learning how to connect, on the east end, to the Schuylkill River Trail that goes all the way to Center City (PHL). Much of the trail has a nice canopy of trees. The Chester Valley Trail is a planned multi-use trail from Downingtown to Norristown. This morning it was overflowing. A couple of mild, short hills face travelers in Malvern and just past PA 29. We rode the entire length out and back on a 95 deg day. The Chester Valley Trail extension is considered integral to Montgomery County's trail system, Hartman said. I WILL be back, probably many times. Two of them had pedestrian yields that at least meant I could cross. I rode the King of Prussia portion yesterday and I can't wait for it to be completed. This trails brings me such joy! Around the 8 mile point, the scenery is more open, with farms along the trail. Parking lot is large and new. Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, rollerblading. Smooth surface the entire length of the trail and the shade from the trees in the hot days of July was a plus. My friend and I parked at the Exton Park Trailhead which offers many amenities; such as full service bathrooms, playground area, and a tremendous parking lot. In icy/snowy conditions the trail may be closed until parking and access areas are addressed. This will likely change once future segments are finished. Planning Commission Releases Final Plan for Chester Valley Trail estimated completion in November 2013 from Paoli,cedar hollow road to Valley Forge Park. The entrance into the park near Church Farm School is not marked and the parking lot is not complete. Second, I love the quarter mile markers. Once this occurs, the Chester Valley Trail will form part of the Schuylkill-Susquehanna Passage, a long-distance greenway that will connect Harrisburg and Philadelphia. As compared to the Perkiomen or Schuylkill trails, CVT is like city riding. MARKINGS!!! I am looking forward to the completion! On our way out we encountered an injured raccoon in the middle of the trail that had been cleaned up on the way back. I'm just curious what the plan is, if anyone knows. Get a fresh perspective of people, events and trends that shape our world. You need to cross roads three times to reach the other side of 100. The county will start designing the last 5-mile stretch of the trail in 2023. Users will eventually be able to take the Cross County Trail to the Wissahickon Trail, Power Line Trail, Cresheim Trail, and the Schuylkill River Trail into Philadelphia. 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). The 10- to 12-foot-wide asphalt path, which is open daily, 8 amsunset, has a slight uphill grade from King of Prussia to Exton. It's not congested like the Schuylkill River Trail. Just rode this trail for the first time today - 4/2/16 - started in Exton - FIRST, the "BAD" - my complaints - I followed the directions posted here, but, when I got there, I had NO IDEA WHERE the trail WAS. Maintenance and operation east of County Line Road should be directed to Montgomery County Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites. I love running on this trail! 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. 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 . (Courtesy of Montgomery County). It really contributes to the quality of life for our residents, whether its in the form of recreation or as a commuting resource, said Bill Hartman, the countys trails and open space planning manager. She really enjoys going through the tunnels and over the bridges and pressing the stop traffic button at Swedesford Rd. Several new bridges have been constructed to carry the trail over local roads, while a few underpasses and culverts left over from the railroad, have been refurbished. The new trail section is a 10- to 12-foot-wide, paved, multiuse path that is part of the Circuit Trails network, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multiuse trails in the Greater Philadelphia region that is growing each year. The spur connects to the Exton SEPTA/Amtrack Station. Now on that note it is a fun smooth ride. It has since been investing in pre-existing and new trails across the county, and making huge strides. During substantial snowstorms, the Chester Valley Trail will be open to cross-country skiing for brief periods; however, snowmobiling and any other motorized use are prohibited. If you are looking for a great trail to hear mother nature. I have visited this trail more than any other trail in PA, NJ, DE, and MD. Map of the Cross County Trail in Montgomery County. West of Church Farm School towards Exton the trail is unpaved and becomes packed gravel then old train bed with large rocks and weeds. The trail is paved the entire way and crosses several busy roads, but each intersection is clearly marked and passable. Chester County is expecting to extend the trail into Downingtown. Once completed, the Chester Valley Trail will form a prominent link in southeast Pennsylvania's emerging greenway network, with connections to the Uwchlan and Struble trails, several local parks and Valley Forge via Patriot's Path, another multi-use trail currently in development. However, when bikers traveling over 20mph on the trail choose to pass in the middle of the trail, where there is east and west bound congestion, the risk they create for collision is a serious threat to everyone. It meanders through the neighborhoods behind houses and businesses. The middle segment, currently the longest, runs almost 4 miles from Ship Road east to Route 29. hb```}|@(a}):W{`,O2%(\zPZcGGG1b l@n 3p%X$ `a6bRV-,58'ob+Yb^%u #W! At its full length, the Chester Valley Trail is planned to run from Atglen at the Chester County line to the Schuylkill River. Nice shaded parts of trail make it easier to run during summer months. Second complaint - I rode east to around Mile 5.0, then turned around. Before we send you to , pleasesubscribe to our daily newsletter. Find more trail information and detailed trail maps on TrailLink.com. Current plans call for adding five more miles to the countys 22-mile-long network of paved pedestrian trails. If you are looking for a quiet bike ride in a beautiful setting, I would not suggest it. It continues past the Veterans Memorial Park and into the King of Prussia area of Upper Merion Township. Named for the late Robert G. Struble, a teacher, conservationist, county commissioner and Brandywine Valley . The newly extended 22-mile Chester Valley Trail will connect Chester and Montgomery counties to Philadelphia. Chester Valley Trail West - Chesco Planning This Phase will be about 1.25 miles. Just needs to be MARKED better at several places! The extension will cost $6.2 million, and it will be fully funded by federal reimbursement through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. Lots of bikers, walkers and families on this trail but majority were friendly as you passed. Loved having retail on both ends for drinks/snacks. We are very excited about the potential for developing this trail in the heart of central Chester County and expanding The Circuit, Greater Philadelphias regional trail network. Extension to identify a preferred alignment and preferred bicycle/pedestrian facility types from Downingtown to the Enola Low Grade Trail. Copyright 2023 American Community Journals, LLC |, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. 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. I spent an hour trying to get to it off of ship road and route 30. It IS a really nice trail! There are many township parks and Valley Forge National Park along the trail or that connect to the trail. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. As part of the Chester Valley Trail Extension project, this 11' lane will widen to 13' after . The extension project also included building three new pedestrian bridges (South Gulph Road, Henderson Road, and Boro Line Road) and updating two bridges for pedestrian/bike use. 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. The Chester Valley Trail Extension project is a 3.8-mile expansion of the Chester Valley Trail completed in March 2023. Fourth very nice bathroom and parking area at Exton Park on Church Farm Road. All other runs probably don't make sense here as I can get the same workout by going out my front door. I will definitely be back. This took me out to the parking lot by Wegman's. Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. The Chester Valley Trail (CVT) is a Chester County project utilizing a former Reading Railroad right of way between Chester County's Struble Trail in Downingtown Borough, through the length of Tredyffrin Township, to the Chester County/Montgomery County line in King of Prussia. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) completed the Chester Valley Trail Extension Study (CVTE) which investigated alternatives and determined a recommended alignment for extension of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) from its current terminus in Exton into the Borough of Downingtown. At some point during your activities on this trail, you will come across dear. Worth the travel from Maryland. If you're starting from Exton, I'd recommend NOT parking near Walmart but in Raymour & Flanigan's parking lot to avoid crossing Rt 100, which is very busy! The county saw 2 million path visitors in 2021, and more than 2.8 million users as of November 2022. Chester Valley Trail Extension | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website Not too difficult and the trail is shady so for an August day it wasn't too hot. It's a pretty run, homes to look at, woods, hills parts are shaded, parts are not. What is the Chester Valley Trail? What is the Chester Valley Trail Got a question about life in Phillys suburbs? Starting from King of Prussia (South Gulph Road Parking Area) and riding out to West Whiteland Township Trailhead (Main Street at Exton), the ride is relatively flat with a slow and constant elevation gain. We will go back after a few more trails to see if we still think the same. The Chester Valley Trail will generally follow a now-abandoned rail corridor and will connect Chester Countys Struble Trail in Exton with Montgomery Countys Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. . (Courtesy of Montgomery County). The intersection is large, so by the time you're in the middle of it, traffic is inbound and they barely slow down! WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. Signage makes the trail easy to follow, and the quarter mile markers are an improvement over the usual half mile markers. Philadelphia trail linking Schuylkill and Delaware rivers closer to taking shape. The study made 3 recommendations: In 2011 Tredyffrin Township did a feasibility study to examine a connection from the Chester Valley Trail to the Paoli Train Station. When the missing link is completed in Montgomery County it will connect to the Schuylkill Valley Trail. Chester County pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to spread out a little more. Read more about the planned trail extensions in the Daily Local News. The plan is to expand this trail one mile to the west. So I visited the trail for the first time today. Leaving Bridgeport, the route curves south and then west as it meanders through King of Prussia, a community named for a local Colonial-era inn built in 1719. Clean trail and a decent amount of tree coverage at most points for those hot sunny days. I essentially had to stop running for several minutes while I waited for the light to change. We won't bother with that again. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. There were a couple of maintenance stations along the way. We were both very comfortable. Pros - Relatively flat and straight. Nice clean trail. Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. In Exton, the crossing at Rt 100 is a mean 3-way dog-leg. It's harder going then coming back, but the street crossings are minimal and non invasive, the other riders/walkers are considerate and upbeat. MAYBE it's me? Formed in 1850 by the Philadelphia and Reading Company, the Chester Valley Railroad stretched 22 miles between Bridgeport and Downingtown. 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. Image via the Chester County Planning Commission. I completely agree that the trail has many crossings, which can be difficult to navigate (not for markings, but for motorists who are not really attentive). There's construction at the main intersection in Exton at the moment about a mile-ish from the trail end. I saw a lot of different types of bikes, recumbents, rollerblades, runners! It runs too close to major highways making it quite noisy in spots. Construction of segments that will close the gap from Ship Road to Iron Lake Blvd. The CVT gets a bit dense with crossings, cars and highway noise at either end. Counties: Chester. The trail is broken up by numerous street crossings. Bidding and construction will most likely start sometime this year. We biked northeastward to the end of the trail along King of Prussia Blvd and returned to the Exton Trailhead and continued to the southwest end of the trail. Your donation will help us to continue connecting more people to trails around the country. I'm anxioust to ride end-to-end. We take a break while he plays on the playground and then off we go, back towards home. I don't know? Another time I wouldn't go further west than Rt 100 until the trail is extended further toward Downingtown, which, apparently, is to happen soon. Overall nice trail to bike and be out of the house. Image via the Montgomery County Planning Commission. 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. We will have to wait for the politicians to get some good weather to pat themselves on the back about what a great job they did before the trail is officially open, but in the meantimeexcept for the extreme eastern edge east of Old Eagle School Road and the extreme western edge, west of the Church Farm School, the path is open and clear of snow and ice. WHYY thanks our sponsors become a WHYY sponsor, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program (CMAQ). While the Chester Valley Trail West Study completed . It was not tranquil especially during rush hour. Chester Valley Trail Extension - Circuit Trails The bad is that you will need to keep a close eye out for the many walkers, runners, strollers, and families. - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more! The bulk of this section parallels Commerce Drive from Iron Lake Blvd. The trail is paved from Morehall rd to N Ship rd except for about a mile. Starting from the King of Prussia trailhead I found the trail too close to busy streets for me. 542 0 obj <>stream Completion of multi -use trail from Exton to Thorndale : 23.0 ROW Acquisition 2024-2030 Chester Valley Trail West Completion of trail from Downingtown to Atglen . I was pleasantly surprised the first time I road this trail. Primarily residential on one side and highway (202?) Chester County Planning Commission Struble Trail Description. Most is shaded and the cars were very good about stopping when On top of that, truck traffic is extremely heavy and frequently blocks the intersection. In 2021, 477,092 people used the Chester Valley Trail, while 68,225 enjoyed the Schuylkill River Trail. Agree some parts were not scenic and were near busy roadways but crossings were safe and clearly marked. One mile of trail has already been built in Montgomery County. The third required me to navigate a high traffic intersection. Please give today. This trail is wide and very well maintained. The Chester County Planning Commission is proud to release the final Chester Valley Trail Extension to Downingtown Feasibility Study and Master Plan. The Downingtown Trestle Bridge, built between 1903 & 1906, is 1451 feet long and 122 feet high over the Brandywine Creek. 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. Some covered sections provide shade. 100 intersection is not worth crossing --> 3 crossings, plus the trail west of it is both short & ugly (1 mile round trip). Home Planning Topics Transportation Trail Planning Chester Valley Trail Extension Study. :( OK so NOW the GOOD! Also, its heavily used on the weekends making for a crowded ride. We walked our bikes across the 3 intersections around the work since we were determined to get to the end of the trail. Is the plan to connect to that?? 29 near Wegmans is not as obnoxious as the rt. The Chester County Commissioners accepted the plan at their December meeting to close out the grant provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program that partially funded the study. All in all the CVT is a nice trail, one that I would like to do every year. Trail end points: PA Route 322/Downingtown Pike (near Bradford Road Avenue) and PA Route 322/Downingtown Pike (east of the Sugars Bridge Road intersection) Trail surfaces: Asphalt. In the future, extensions to the trail will allow . I know other reviews have mentioned the lack of signage and I think this has improved. Liked the fix it stations. Its just a little boring. endobj 3164 0 obj >/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[85A11EC3E497704D9DBE9723DD859F08>]/Index[3150 26]/Info 3149 0 R/Length 79/Prev 22770029/Root 3151 0 R/Size 3176/Type/XRef/W . I have used the Struble Trail near my home mostly, and have a little experience with several other rail trail systems in SE PA. Today being especially beautiful and the weather cool I chose to ride on the Chester Valley Trail. The completed $20.2 million trail will be 22 miles long. Beaver Creek Trail. I did find my way to where the trail starts up again at Commerce Dr. Getting across Rt 100 is a challenge. There are several street crossings but they have pedestrian blinking lights and the crossings are well marked so I felt safe crossing with my boys. Extension Route of Chester Valley Trail Revealed - VISTA.Today (Courtesy Montgomery County). The Chester Valley Trail currently runs from Exton, in Chester County, to the Schuylkill Expressway in King of Prussia. Montgomery County has seen a surge in trail users since the COVID-19 pandemic started. endstream endobj startxref 501 0 obj <> endobj These trails are flat and family friendly and often have a shoulder for running or stepping off the trail. Park benches were pretty common, too. First of all, we had a late winter snow storm and this trail was cleared quite quickly and very well. I really love the trail and live close to Wayne. The 3.9-mile extension would stretch the existing 14.5-mile Chester Valley Trail, which runs from Exton in Chester County into King of Prussia. 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. Chester Valley Trail | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website TWICE, on the way back, I LITERALLY got LOST! Fabulous ride not at all marred by the multiple road crossings. Superb trail as far as smooth and maintained, but the road noise from Rt 202 made parts of the trail unbearable. Facilities Montgomery County, PA CivicEngage Crossing rt. Several of the crossings are by bridge or tunnel and some are on the street. You are riding through an urban area and along some highways. I parked at the lot off of Route 30 by the soccer fields. I only walked a small section, about 3 miles but it was clean and perfect. Enjoy! It was understandably busy. Otherwise, the proximity to 202 and the numerous road crossings makes the trail feel choppy and you never really feel disconnected from suburbia. There are multiple places to park and access the trail, but they can be difficult to find initially. Yes, there are road crossings. The Chester Valley Trail Extension passes through three municipalities, Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. There I are just enough small hills to make it interesting but not too steep.There is a clean restroom and water fountain at approximately 11 miles. 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. Chester Valley Trail extension spotlights connection to Norristown's Schuylkill River Trail. I started at the King of Prussia park and ride, and biked to Exton and returned. Trail is perfect--not even a crack.
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