New segment creates a seamless 10.3-mile connection from the Delaware River to Bucks County
PHILADELPHIA – The City of Philadelphia’s Department of Streets and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), today officially opened the Pennypack Path Connector Trail project with a ribbon cutting event.
The new segment links the Pennypack Path to the Pennypack Trail at State Road and Rhawn Street, creating a seamless 10.3-mile connection from the Delaware River to Bristol Road in Bucks County. In July, the City and partners opened the City’s portion of the Fox Chase Lorimer Trail, which saw the conversion of the former SEPTA Fox Chase Rail Line’s Newtown Branch into an approximately half mile shared-use walking and cycling trail. Both projects are part of Greater Philadelphia’s regional Circuit Trails Network.
“Three months to the date, we are proud to cut the ribbon on yet another segment of the Pennypack Trail, one of the great stretches of recreational space in our city’s trail network,” said Kristin Del Rossi, Commissioner, Department of Streets. “While the distances may be small, the Fox Chase Lorimer Trail and Pennypack Path Connector were both much needed connections that fill in missing gaps in the much larger Circuit Network. We continue to strive toward Mayor Parker’s vision of a safer, cleaner, and greener Philadelphia through projects that make our transportation network safer and accommodating of all users.”
The project provides a new safe crossing of State Road for cyclists and pedestrians with a concrete refuge island in the center of the road. There were also modifications to traffic signals, line striping, ADA ramp installations, sidewalks along a curb extension of the cartway, and Philadelphia Water Department green stormwater infrastructure (GSI).
“We are always aiming to increase access to our parks for recreation and exercise across the city,” said Susan Slawson, Commissioner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. “The Pennypack Path Connector will allow walkers, runners, and cyclists consistent and safe access to one of the city’s beautiful watershed parks.”
The Department of Streets managed construction, which was completed by Seravalli, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA. The cost of construction was valued at $1.2M using a mix of City funds and federal Transportation Alternative Set-Aside (TASA) grant funding. The project design was funded by the Regional Trail Program grant managed by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.
This section is part of the Circuit Trails, the East Coast Greenway, and will be an important connector that provides access to the Delaware River Trail.
About the Circuit Trails
Greater Philadelphia is the proud home of the Circuit Trails, a regional trail network of hundreds of miles of multi-use trails that is growing in size each year. One of America’s largest trail networks, the Circuit currently includes more than 411 miles of completed multi-use trails with a vision of including more than 850 miles of interconnected trails across a nine-county region in Pennsylvania and New Jersey by 2040. Nearly 65 nonprofit organizations, foundations and agencies are working together as part of the Circuit Trails Coalition to advance the completion of the trail network. A premiere regional amenity, the Circuit Trails connect our people to our local communities, providing endless opportunities for recreation and commuting. So whether you bike it, walk it, run it or paddle alongside it, the point is — just enjoy it. Learn more at www.circuittrails.org and connect with the Circuit Trails on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to find out what is happening #OnTheCircuit.