IMPLEMENTATION 5

Preliminary Cost Estimates

The preliminary cost estimates for development of the Moore Road Trail and Linear Park were established based on unit costs from construction projects of similar scope and scale; they reflect prevailing wage rates that are required for publicly bid construction projects.

Cost summaries are presented here. Detailed costs estimates are contained in Appendix sections 1 and 2. Please refer to the Appendix for detailed costs estimates.

Cost estimates included costs for grading and retaining walls based on preliminary grading completed as part of this plan, along with utility pole relocation, drainage improvements, trail lighting, site amenities, and other necessary site costs. Plans with preliminary grading are contained in Appendix section 3.

This cost summary illustrates the western side of Moore Road, the eastern side of Moore Road (with intersection improvement costs) and for the preferred alternate trail alignment to reach the Schuylkill River Trail West.

Costs estimates include the following allowances that are in addition to improvement costs:

• 3% Mobilization

• 2% Erosion and Sedimentation Control

• 2% Stormwater management

• 10% Construction Contingency

• 15% Design & Engineering

Moore Road Trail (west side of road) $2,912,500.00

Moore Road Trail (east side of road) & Intersection Improvements $4,153,200.00

SRTW connector - Option C $1,140,000.00

Total estimated improvement costs: $8,204,700.00

Potential Funding Sources

There are many funding public sources that could be considered for Improvements for the Moore Road Multiuse Trail and Linear Park.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR)

Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2)

The Community Recreation and Conservation Program through the PA DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) provides funding to municipalities and authorized nonprofit organizations for recreation, park, trail and conservation projects. These include planning for feasibility studies, trail studies, conservation plans, master site development plans, and comprehensive recreation park and open space and greenway plans. In addition to planning efforts, the program provides funding for land acquisition for active or passive parks, trails and conservation purposes, and construction and rehabilitation of parks, trails, and recreation facilities. Most of these projects require a 50% match, which can include a combination of cash and/or non-cash values. Grant applications for the C2P2 program are accepted annually— usually in April. More information can be found at: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/grants/ grantpolicies/index.htm

Land and Water Conservation Fund

(LWCF)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State Assistance Program, established in 1965, is a federal source of funding distributed to all states by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service.

The program provides matching grants for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. DCNR administers the LWCF Program for Pennsylvania.

More info at: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/ Communities/Grants/Pages/default.aspx

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)

Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP)

The Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP) provides funding for: public park and recreation area projects, greenway and trail projects, and river or creek conservation projects. The program requires a 15% local cash match of the total project cost and projects must not exceed $250,000. Applications to DCED are typically due in late May.

More information can be found at: http://www. newpa.com/programs/greenways-trails-andrecreation-program-gtrp/

Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) was started in 2012 by Congress as part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The program funds a range of alternative transportation projects that include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, public transportation, safe routes to school, historic transportation structures, environmental mitigation, and trail projects. All funding money is administered by PennDOT and strictly used for the construction of projects, but not the planning or design.

Recently Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to School (SRTS), Scenic Byways (Byways), and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) have all been consolidated into the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Projects must have a construction cost of at least $50,000, but no more than $1,000,000.

Additional information is available online at: http://www.penndot.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/ Planning/Pages/Transportation-AlternativesProgram.aspx

Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF)

The DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth.

Applications for the Multimodal Transportation Fund are accepted annually between March 1 and July 31. All applications and all required supplemental information must be electronically submitted by close of business on July 31st for hopeful consideration at the November CFA board meeting.

Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation, and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development. Grants are available for projects with a total cost of $100,000 or more. Grants shall not exceed $3,000,000 for any project. https://dced.pa.gov/programs/ multimodal-transportation-fund/

PennDOT Multimodal Fund

PennDOT’s multimodal program seeks to improve freight and passenger mobility options, maximize benefits of capital investment in all modes of transportation, promote safety on all modes of transportation, use transportation improvements to spur economic development, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the transportation network. Projects eligible for funding include:

• projects related to streetscape, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety

• transit oriented development projects

• projects related to connectivity improvements

• projects that coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities

The PennDOT Multimodal fund is separate from the Multimodal Transportation Fund administered by the Pennsylvania DCED. A local match of at least 30% of the non-federal project costs is required. More information on the program can be found at: http://www.penndot.gov/ ProjectAndPrograms/MultimodalProgram/Pages/ default.aspx

PennVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority)

PennVEST offers both grants and low interest loans for projects that help to manage stormwater and improve water quality. Several of the proposed recommendations for the greenways will be of interest to PennVEST since they include stormwater BMPs.

More information on the grants and loans available through PennVEST can be found at: http://www.pennvest.pa.gov/Information/ Funding-Programs/Pages/default.aspx

Federal Highway Administration

CMAQ Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

DVRPC’s Competitive Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) seeks to fund transportation projects that will improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. CMAQ eligible projects will demonstrably reduce air pollution emissions and help the region meet the federal health-based air quality standards. Projects must result in a reduction of emissions related to transportation, congestion reduction, and for the public good (i.e., not benefiting one private entity over another) to meet the requirements of the Clean Art Act (CAA) and its amendments. General eligible project categories include pedestrian and bicycle projects, transit improvement programs, congestion reduction and traffic flow improvements, and funding of transportation demand management programs, among others. Please refer to the latest CMAQ Guidance and FHWA web links below for further details. The CMAQ Program is not a grant program. The sponsor does not receive grant funds to start the project; rather, the sponsor is reimbursed for costs incurred after receiving funding authorization for the project and a notice to proceed. Costs incurred prior to project selection and notice to proceed are not reimbursed. All awarded projects must authorize federal CMAQ funds by the deadline stated in their award letters. .

\FEDERAL\DOT - US Department of Transportation\FHWA - Federal Highway Administration

US Department of Trasnportation

Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program

(SS4A)

Creates a new competitive grant program for “Vision Zero’’ grants. Elements of the plan include goals and timeline for eliminating fatalities and serious injuries; analyses of crash location and community input; a data driven approach to identify projects or strategies; and mechanisms for evaluating outcomes and effectiveness. Eligible projects include development of the plan itself; planning, design, and development activities to execute on projects and strategies; or to carry out the projects or strategies themselves. Projects will be chosen based on whether the proposed project: is likely to significantly reduce or eliminate transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries involving various road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial operators, within the proposed time frame; demonstrates engagement with a variety of public and private stakeholders; seeks to adopt innovative technologies or strategies to promote safety; employs low-cost, high-impact strategies that improve safety over a wider geographical area; ensures, or will ensure, equitable investment in the safety needs of underserved communities in preventing transportation-related fatalities and injuries; includes evidence-based projects or strategies; and achieves such other conditions as the U.S. DOT Secretary considers to be necessary. Federal share 80%. https://www. transportation.gov/bipartisan-infrastructurelaw/upcoming-notice-funding-opportunity-

RAISE - Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program

RAISE Grants are for capital investments in surface transportation that will have a significant local or regional impact. The Department seeks to fund projects under the RAISE Program that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are designed with specific elements to address climate change impacts. Specifically, the Department is looking to award projects that align with the President’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land use and transportation efficient design, increase use of lower-carbon travel modes such as transit and active transportation, incorporate electrification or zero emission vehicle infrastructure, increase climate resilience, support domestic manufacturing, incorporate lower-carbon pavement and construction materials, reduce pollution, and recycle or redevelop brownfield sites. The Department also seeks to award projects under the RAISE Program that address environmental justice, particularly for communities that disproportionally experience climate changerelated consequences. The minimum RAISE grant award is $5 million in urban areas and $1 million in rural areas. RAISE is a reimbursable program. https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants/ raise-application-faqs

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Regional Trails Program

DVRPC’s Regional Trails Program provides planning assistance and financial support to trail developers, counties, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations to complete the Circuit, Greater Philadelphia’s 800-plus-mile network of multi-use trails. With financial support from the William Penn Foundation, the Regional Trails Program has provided $22 million in funding to over 120 trail planning, design, and construction projects to date. The focus of this program are Circuit trails and trails than connect to the Circuit system. This project’s proposed connection to the Schuylkill River Trail West could be of interest and is relevant to this funding program. https://www.dvrpc.org/trails/ regionaltrailsprogram/

William Penn Foundation Funding for Circuit Trails

The Circuit Trails are designated as official transportation infrastructure in our region, therefore grants for trail planning, design and construction are funded through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the region’s metropolitan planning organization. The William Penn Foundation (WPF) has provided $33 million in capital funding for the Circuit Trails through DVRPC since 2010. Additionally, WPF funds an array of trail- and conservationfocused NGOs, including land trusts and statewide organizations, to support the trails through advocacy, education, outreach, and technical assistance. WPF also funds the Rails to Trails Conservancy to promote the network through communications and marketing, which has helped to establish a strong identity for the Circuit Trails. Not all members of the Circuit Trails Coalition receive direct funding from the Foundation, however WPF support of the collective whole is intended to provide added value to every organization involved. It may be worthwhile to approach the WPF for funding for the connection to the SRTW, since there are significant private sector businesses in Moore Park. This trail initiative and the possible involvement of the WPF has some business involvement opportunities for the trail and the greater trail movement in general. https://williampennfoundation.org/circuit-trails

Montgomery County 2040 Implementation Grant Program

The MontCo 2040 Implementation Grant Program is intended to assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan. The program focuses on supporting local projects that specifically further the goals of the county comprehensive plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.

While the program is open to a wide array of projects fitting within the comprehensive plan, specific Focus Categories that highlight recent county planning initiatives are announced prior to each funding year. Projects that fall under a Focus Category receive greater consideration during the application review. Grant amounts are available between $10,000 and $200,000, but a realistic average award is around $100,000. The grant program has awarded over 12.7 million to 113 grants in 51 municipalities of Montgomery County. The 2023 round of grants is due March 1.

For further information on the grant program, contact Scott France at 610-278-3747.

https://www.montcopa.org/2453/Montco-2040Implementation-Grant-Program

Legislative Funding

State and federal elected officials can sometimes include items into legislation for worthy projects in their districts. A conversation between county and municipal officials and legislators is the way to begin this process. This type of funding should be targeted toward capital improvement projects.

Recommended Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities

King of Prussia District

As the primary catalyst and champion of this project, he King of Prussia District should promote the project through its extensive media and stakeholder network in order to build momentum and support in the community for implementation.

As a non-profit, the King of Prussia District can apply for funding from various agencies and can also partner with Upper Merion Township and Montgomery County to advance project funding for construction. While both the Township and County could provide funding from their own budgets as matches to funds obtained by the District they could also act as the grant applicant for phases of this project since each government entity has substantial interest in seeing the completion of the project.

Upper Merion Township

As the host municipality for the Moore Road project (and the King of Prussia District) the Township is a critical partner to the King of Prussia District. The Township can assist in the completion of the Trail and Linear Park in a number of ways. These include:

• Act as grant funding applicant for trail segments

• Offer strong support to the District on funding applications submitted by the District, including possible partial cash matches to a trail/park segment. This may be especially relevant in the vicinity of the arboretum which will deliver visitors to this facility via the trail.

• Work with the District during likely negotiations by the District with affected property owners on the Moore Road Corridor.

• Take an aggressive lead in the negotiation with Norfolk Southern RR to obtain the abandoned rail ROW that runs from the SRTW in the north to First Avenue to the south.

• As trail corridor properties submit land development applications for redevelopment, work with property owners to incorporate planned trail and parklet improvements into their sites as appropriate.

Montgomery County

The Moore Road Multipurpose Trail and Linear Park could be one of several important ‘successes’ and serve as an example for the County’s ambitious Walk Montco initiative and we suggest that the County collaborates with both the District and the Township towards its implementation. Additionally, the County could provide partial funding for one or more phases through its Montco 2040 grant program. If it is not appropriate to fund the District (as a nonprofit) funds could flow through the Township.

The County Commissioners can also use their political good will by strongly supporting the District’s grant funding application through both letters of support and personally reaching out to funding agencies on behalf of the District.

Moore Road Property Owners

Property owners along the Moore Road Multiuse Trail Corridor can assist the District by considering donating the necessary trail easements to the King of Prussia District (vs. negotiating a fee for easement purchase). Property owners can also be advocates for the project with adjacent or nearby owners touting the benefits of the trail – safety, aesthetics, potential health benefits (from using the trail), etc.

SEPTA, as a major (future) property owner can assist by incorporating the trail / parklet improvements into the planning of their site as plans for the rail station move forward.