Chapter 4: Connection to Schuylkill River Trail

West (SRTW)

Review of Montgomery County Circuit Priorities

As shown in the facing page, the development of the Moore Road Trail lends naturally to the discussion of how Moore Park can be connected to The Circuit trail system. Part of the scope of this Moore Road Trail & Linear Park Concept Study is an evaluation of how a connection could be made to the Schuylkill River Trail West. This connection would provide linkages to the Valley Forge National Historic Park (a comment frequently made during public forums on the SEPTA Transit Oriented Communities open houses) and the Perkiomen Trail as well. The topography surrounding the project area for the SRTW connection is the greatest challenge to many of the alternates evaluated.

Several preliminary alignments were evaluated for overall feasibility, practicality and preliminary costs based on available topographic data and development plans made available from PennDOT for the Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) realignment project. These costs did not include the costs of land/R.O.W. acquisition. Costs were applied to large scale site development items for alternate comparison purposes.

While all of the alternates evaluated propose an ultimate connection to the SRTW, the attached graphic shows the inter-relationship of many of the routes. The timing of development and re-development projects as well as the consideration by PennDOT of the trail connection within the SR 0023 re-alignment project provide many variables to consider.

The summary of cost estimates for the SRTW Trail Connection Alignment Alternatives is contained in the Appendix.

Alternative Routes with Cost Estimates:

Alternate A

An existing but abandoned Norfolk-Southern rail corridor exists within Moore Park between First Avenue and Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) which then crosses SR 0023 and proceeds northeast to its eventual connection with the SRTW. It is described as a 10’ wide corridor with a total length of approximately 6,500 feet between First Avenue and the SRTW. (Total area of approximately 1.5 acres.)

Trail Alternate ‘A’ proposes the acquisition of this corridor from Norfolk Southern for development of a premier trail amenity within Moore Park, serving not only Moore Road but all of Moore Park.

The connection requires the crossing of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) at the Mancill Mill Road intersection. Currently, the re-design of SR 0023 and the replacement of the Trout Creek bridge is in PennDOT final design. PennDOT 6-0 has met with the project team to discuss how this vital trail connection can be accommodated within the final design document. (See Alternate ‘E’ and Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) & Mancill Mill Intersection descriptions below.)

Ownership and control of the corridor is not completely known. However, recent discussions with Norfolk Southern indicate their willingness to participate in the process to officially abandon the rail corridor, appraise its value and enter into an agreement with a controlling entity for the development of a trail.

Summary: The acquisition of the Norfolk Southern rail corridor which is Alternate ‘A’ represents the preferred alternative for a connection from the Moore Road Trail within Moore Park to the SRTW. The value of this acquisition to the entire Upper Merion community cannot be over-stated. The formal process for abandonment, appraisal and acquisition will require a significant amount of time; however the project team believes that grant applications for acquisition costs would be favorably viewed by funding agencies.

Length: 6,500 LF

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate: $877,000

Alternate B

Trail Alternate ‘B’ proposes a connection to Trail Alternate ‘A’ (described above) along the southern boundary of the parcel at 760 Moore Road. Site security concerns were brought up in discussions with the owner of the 760 Moore Road parcel for this alternate. Additionally, the ‘B’ alignment is a utility corridor. Development of a trail along this boundary would require major utility pole relocations.

The total length of Alternate ‘B’ to its intersection with the rail corridor (Alternate ‘A’) is 1070’. The remaining route of Alternate ‘A’ to the Schuylkill River Trail is approximately 3,200’ for a total new trail length of approximately 4,300’.

Similar to Alternate ‘A’, the trail crossing of SR 0023 near the Mancill Mill intersection would require coordination with PennDOT.

Summary: Alternate ‘B’ is reliant on the acquisition of the Norfolk Southern rail corridor on the northern side of Trout Creek and the crossing of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) for the connection to SRTW. The feasibility of utility relocations and site security concerns of the owner represent additional challenges with this alternate.

Length: 4,300 LF

Preliminary Cost Estimate: $754,000

Alternate C

Similar to Trail Alternate ‘B’, Alternate ‘C’ proposes a route that would connect with the Norfolk Southern rail corridor of Alternate ‘A’. Alternate ‘C’ proposes a direct junction with the Moore Road Trail on the 760 Moore Road property at an elevation that nearly matches the current driveway elevation. The trail is proposed to ‘cut into’ the slope and follow the northern edge of the parking lot to the eastern boundary of the property near the SR 0023/ Mancill Mill Road intersection. Retaining walls are required for most of the trail length and final alignment will need to consider an existing drainageway on the toe of the slope.

Summary: Alternate ‘C’ is reliant on the acquisition of the Norfolk Southern rail corridor on the northern side of Trout Creek and the crossing of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) for the connection to SRTW. Making the connection to SR 0023 with a route on one property represents a simpler process than a route through multiple properties. A trail connection of this type represents a ‘value added’ amenity to the property as an employee benefit. The overall comfort level of this Alternate for all trail users is higher than for the other alternates evaluated.

Length: 3,400 LF

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate: $1,140,000

This is the preferred alternative.

Alternate D

Alternate ‘D’ represents an alternate that does not require the acquisition of the Norfolk Southern rail corridor. It does, however, represent the greatest constructability challenge due to steep slopes immediately north of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023). This alternate also requires the coordination of six (6) parcel owners abutting the alignment. The initial grade challenges requiring retaining walls are followed by more moderate grades to the SRTW terminus. This alignment assumes the useage of a privately developed trail connection to the SRTW for the final 350’.

Summary: While this alternate removes the Norfolk Southern rail corridor acquisition requirement, the engineering and constructability issues associated with rock removal, retaining wall construction and the maintenance and protection of traffic during construction on SR 0023 are significant challenges.

Length: 2,000 LF

SRTWest

8th Av

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate:

$871,000

Alternate E

Design development drawings for the Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) re-alignment include the construction of a five-foot wide sidewalk on the north side of SR 0023 within the project area. During project discussions with PennDOT, the concept of widening the planned 5’ width to a trail width of 10’ was discussed. PennDOT was willing to consider this additional component of the project in final design. The 1,250 ‘ length of the planned sidewalk on the north side of SR 0023 represents significant rock and very steep slopes. Additional geotechnical engineering evaluations would be required to determine feasibility of the additional rock ‘cut’ to accommodate a trail width similar to the other alternates.

At the intersection of Mancill Mill Road and Valley Forge Road, Alternate ‘E’ could continue on the Norfolk Southern rail corridor alignment to the SRTW connection or travel north along the western side of Mancill Mill Road to a planned private property connection to the trail for the final 350’ (mentioned in Alternate ‘D’). Steep slopes along Mancill Mill Road will require retaining walls to allow for acceptable trail grades. Additional coordination with PennDOT for property acquisition needs and design would be required with this alternate.

Summary : The completion of a 5’ wide sidewalk in the PennDOT project provides a significant advance toward connection with the SRTW using public dollars already allocated for pedestrian connections. Trail grades along Mancill Mill Road do not provide the most comfortable experience for expected trail users. Alternate ‘E’ requires additional evaluation as a more ‘near-term’ connection to the SRTW..

Length: 1700 LF

Using Alternate ‘A’ (Norfolk Southern rail corridor) for final connection: 3,000 LF

Using Mancill Mill Road ROW + Private Property Connection: 2,500 LF

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate: $977,000

Alternate F1

Alternate ‘F1’ similarly offers an option for continuing the Alternate ‘C’ connection to the SRTW without requiring the acquisition of the rail corridor. This alternate assumes an Alternate ‘C’ alignment to the Mancill Mill Road/ Valley Forge Road (SR 0023) intersection. The crossing of SR 0023 would occur on the western side of Mancill Mill Road and proceed northward to the private property connection to the SRTW described in Alternate ‘E’.

Summary: Alternate ‘F1’ represents a high-cost option based on required retaining walls needed to achieve acceptable trail grades on both the southern and northern sides of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023).

Length: 3,000 LF

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate: $1,240,000

Alternate F2

Like ‘F1’, Alternate ‘F2’ offers an option for continuing the Alternate ‘C’ connection to the SRTW without requiring the acquisition of the rail corridor. After using the Alternate ‘C’ alignment to the Mancill Mill Road intersection, ‘F2’ would be located within the previous State ROW of SR 0023 and then proceed north on Upper Merion Township-owned property toward the Mancill Mill Road private development connection to the SRTW. While trail property control may be simplified north of SR 0023 with the Township’s involvement, steep slopes and needed retaining walls again make engineering and constructability difficult.

Summary: Alternate ‘F2’ represents a high-cost option based on required retaining walls needed to achieve acceptable trail grades on both the southern and northern sides of Valley Forge Road (SR 0023).

Length: 3,300 LF

Preliminary Construction Cost Estimate: $1,360,000

Alternate F3

Alternate ‘F3’ was considered as an alternate option for using the former SR 0023 ROW alignment and Trout Creek crossing for a trail connection to SRTW on the eastern side of Trout Creek. After site investigation, it was the project team’s consensus that the geotechnical and hydrologic/ hydraulic factors impacting this alignment were too impactful to consider further.

Recommended Option for SRTW Connection

Trail Alternate ‘A’ represents the recommended SRTW connection to serve the Moore Park community.

Trail Alternate ‘C’ to ‘A’ is preferred option considering trail safety and comfort for users.

Trail Alternate ‘E’ to ‘F1’ represents an option that could be undertaken without the involvement of Norfolk Southern and makes maximum use of public dollars for pedestrian and trail connections.

Trail Crossing Considerations at the Valley Forge Road (SR 0023)/ Mancill Mill Road Intersection

As previously noted, PennDOT 6-0 is proceeding into final design of the re-alignment of SR 0023 and new Trout Creek crossing. A new residential apartment complex (Mancil Mill Townhomes) has recently been approved by Upper Merion Township and is located off of Mancill Mill Road north of the intersection and adjacent to the SRTW. The property at 760 Moore Road also has plans for re-development affecting SR 0023 access before PennDOT.

The timing of all of these projects and how a trail connection to the SRTW could connect Moore Road Trail, adds significant logistical planning, design and constructability issues to this intersection.

The project team assembled the most current plans prepared for these projects to consider how a trail crossing could be facilitated. A preliminary alignment of a trail crossing considering all of the plans noted above is included in this report. The following considerations are included on this plan:

• The intersection will be signalized in conjunction with the Piazza development projects and the temporary traffic signal proposed for the project will be made permanent with the PennDOT Route 0023 project.

• Valley Forge Road will be realigned in the area of Mancill Mill Road and Beidler Road in conjunction with the PennDOT Route 0023 Project.

• Along Valley Forge Road, a northbound left turn lane will be constructed on to Mancill Mill with the PennDOT Route 23 Project.

• On the north side of the intersection, a trail crossing will be constructed. The location on the north side of the intersection provides better sight distance along the horizontal curve. This location also would allow pedestrians to cross if a protected left turn phase is proposed for vehicles turning from Valley Forge Road to Mancill Mill Road.

• For the Valley Forge Road trail crossing, construct a refuge island in the gore area/left turn shadow.

• South of the intersection on the east side of Valley Forge Road construct a revised site access to the parcel currently owned by Amazon with consideration of the trail. An option with a splitter island/channelized right turn out is shown on the conceptual plan. This will reduce the crossing distances for trail users.

• Coordination with PennDOT and Upper Merion Township will be required.