Location: Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport and Norristown Boroughs, Montgomery County
Timeline: Superstructure set in September 2022; opened in 2023
Project Scope: A 4-mile, $14 million extension of the Circuit Trail connecting the trail from southwest of South Gulph Road to the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown
Milestone: Leveraged 35 years of local Transportation Authority experience to navigate complex right-of-way impacts, integrate private development trailheads, and manage critical multi-municipal stakeholder coordination
Project Overview
Managed by the Montgomery County Planning Commission, this key link in the Circuit Trail that extends the Chester Valley Trail by four miles, connecting its former terminus, near South Gulph Road, to the Schuylkill River Trail. The facility provides a continuous corridor for both commuters and recreational users traveling parallel to US 202 from Downingtown to Norristown and continues into Philadelphia.
Boles, Smyth Associates joined the team in 2014 to revitalize project momentum. BSA utilized its regional knowledge and established relationships to overcome critical obstacles, successfully minimizing right-of-way impacts along the Hansen Access Road and lead coordination efforts with Bridgeport Borough. BSA helped integrate the trail with ongoing private developments to provide local connections and trailhead parking, ensuring design compatibility with planned regional infrastructure, including the King of Prussia Rail Extension.
