In the News
From preliminary engineering to final design and construction, Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. strives to provide a positive imprint on surrounding townships, counties and engineering communities. Listed below are just a few accomplishments and acknowledgements of our firm.
March 2023 – Fort Washington Cross County Trail and Road Diet – Middle Section Groundbreaking
Congratulations to the Upper Dublin Township Municipal Authority (UDTMA) on the Groundbreaking for the Fort Washington Cross County Trail and Road Diet – Middle Section project. Boles, Smyth Associates is proud to be a part of this important project providing connectivity through the Greater Fort Washington District.
Recent News
March 2023 – Chester Valley Trail Extension Project Ribbon Cutting – Happy Trails!
3.8 New Miles that Unlock 88 Existing Miles of Trail Enjoyment
Congratulations to Montgomery County and all those who helped complete the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) Extension. Boles Smyth is proud to have been part of this $18 Million Circuit Trail construction that extends the existing 14.5 mile CVT and connects with the Schuylkill River Trail. New access from Chester County to Pottstown and Philadelphia has been made possible with the opening of this Trail Super Highway. The project is a testament to Boles Smyth’s 50 year tradition of providing services that demand perseverance, creativity and hard work.
September 2022 – Chestnut Street Bridge Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to PennDOT, the City of Philadelphia, Benesch, Buckley and to all those who helped complete the Chestnut Street Bridges Project! Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula joined local officials to celebrate completion of the $104.7 million major construction project to rehabilitate and improve Chestnut Street, the Bridges over the Schuylkill River, CSX Railroad, the Schuylkill River Trail and several adjacent or nearby structures.
August 2022 – Chester Valley Trail Extension Milestone
A major milestone in the construction of the Chester Valley Trail (CVT) Extension in Montgomery County occurred on August 27, 2022. The 130′ span prefabricated steel truss bridge carrying the CVT over South Henderson Road was placed successfully during a weekend detour of Henderson Road. The Chester Valley Trail Extension project is constructing approximately 4.0 miles of bicycle/pedestrian trail for commuting and recreation. It will extend the CVT beyond Chester County from the existing terminus at the Bill Smith Park & Ride in Upper Merion Township. The CVT Extension will then continue northeast through Upper Merion and Bridgeport Borough to its terminus along Dekalb Street in Norristown where it will connect to the Schuylkill River Trail. This trail section is a spine in the regional Circuit Trail Network in the Delaware Valley that links the CVT with the Schuylkill River Trail. A similar superstructure will be placed over South Gulph Road in September 2022.
March 2022 – Celebrating 50 Years!
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary on March 7, 2022! Throughout the years, Boles, Smyth has assisted communities, townships, counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and various government entities to improve and met their transportation, development and infrastructure needs. We are grateful for our clients, the work we were and continue to be involved with and the continued public interest in our industry. Our company is proud to serve our community in a manner that embodies our core values: Imagination, Engineering & Excellence. We sincerely thank you for all your support.
March 2022 – Chestnut Street Bridge Opens
The Chestnut Street Bridge over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia opened to traffic on March 19th at 5PM. Construction crews repainted the bridge’s steel superstructure, placed a new concrete deck, established a dedicated parking-protected bicycle lane and installed sidewalks, decorative lights, and parapets with railing. In addition, the $105.1 million project which began in August 2017 also included rehabilitation to several structures on both sides of the river, resurfacing of Chestnut Street, installation of new traffic signals and Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) equipment and street lighting. Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was responsible for Traffic Signal Design, Traffic Control and stakeholder coordination.
December 2018 – Upper Dublin Grant Success
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. is assisting Upper Dublin Township with continued success in applying for transportation oriented grants. In 2018 alone, Upper Dublin was awarded a Dept. of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Greenways, Trail and Recreation Program Grant, a MontCo 2040 Implementation Grant, a DVRPC Municipal Bridge Retro-Reimbursement Program Grant, and a University of Pittsburgh WalkWorks Grant totaling $1.41 Million. To date, Boles, Smyth helped Upper Dublin secure $16.18 Million in total grant funding to improve Upper Dublin Township’s and Fort Washington Office Park’s transportation infrastructure where their impacts will promote a walkable, bikeable community and a more effective roadway network.
April 2017 – 2016 ASHE Project of the Year Award
PennDOT and the National Park Service proudly accept the 2016 ASHE Delaware Valley Project of the Year for the Old Betzwood Bridge Trail Project (aka Sullivan’s Bridge). The project was constructed within Valley Forge National Historical Park in Montgomery County. Boles, Smyth Associates Inc. led the project design and bid package preparation as well as project sponsor/stakeholder coordination for this locally administered project. The project sponsors include: PennDOT, FHWA, the National Park Service, Montgomery County, Upper Merion and West Norriton Townships. The project was administered by the Upper Merion Transportation Authority and the Contractor was J.D. Eckman Inc.
August 2016 – National Park Service Opens Sullivan’s Bridge
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was pleased to assist the Upper Merion Transportation Authority and PennDOT with the project completion and ribbon cutting for the new Sullivan’s Bridge (Old Betzwood Bridge Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail) Project. The $9.57 million project included but was not limited to the 604-foot long Sullivan’s Bridge, the 60-foot long reinforced concrete arch structure carrying South Trooper Road over the Schuylkill River Trail, the rehabilitated 73-foot long bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad, roadway/trail approach work, landscaping and special railing designs. The Project enhances bicycle and pedestrian travel providing a safe, regional connection between the Schuylkill River Trail and the trail system in Valley Forge National Historical Park. Sullivan’s Bridge creates this critical link in “the Circuit” trail network, which is composed of hundreds of miles of interconnected trails in Delaware Valley.
March 2016 – Progress on Sullivan’s Bridge (Montgomery County)
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. continues to provide support to Upper Merion Transportation Authority (UMTA) and PennDOT for the new Sullivan’s Bridge (Old Betzwood Bridge Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail) Project. Coordination with PennDOT and Contractor (J.D. Eckman, Inc.) has lead to construction progress in Valley Forge National Historical Park for structures over the Norfolk Southern Railroad, Schuylkill River and Schuylkill River Trail. The Project is advancing towards completion, leading to the project ribbon cutting in late Spring 2016.
October, 2014 – APA Pennsylvania Annual Conference Presentation
Jack Smyth, Jr. alongside Leo Bagley (formerly Montgomery County Planning Commission), Brian O’Leary (MCPC), Eric Goldstein (King of Prussia BID), and William Walker (Horsham Township Manager) presented at the Pennsylvania American Planning Association (APA) annual conference. Their discussion focused on efforts to strengthen Montgomery County’s economy by transforming the Pennsylvania Turnpike into a resource that effectively provides access to destination centers within the county. Through the PA Turnpike Corridor Reinvestment Study, Boles, Smyth worked with Stakeholders to develop concepts to modernize existing interchanges and potentially add new interchanges. Jack and fellow speakers discussed adoption of new land use policies along the corridor, market trends, issues facing townships that are dependent on aging business parks, the business perspective, and an overview of transportation planning issues.
Click here to learn more about APA-Pennsylvania.
May, 2014 – PennDOT/FHWA/Park Service Celebrate Start of Construction
With Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. in attendance, State Senator Rafferty and Secretary of Transportation Schoch were joined by local and state officials to break ground on the new Sullivan’s Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle structure over the Schuylkill River in Valley Forge National Historical Park. Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was the lead Civil Engineer, providing a wide variety of services and deliverables to help connect the north and south sides of Valley Forge National Historical Park and improve local and regional access to network trail systems in and around the Park, including a direct link with the Schuylkill River Trail.
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February, 2014 – Upper Merion Indoor Recreation & Community Center Progress
Jack Smyth, Jr. helped unveil the latest land development plans for the Upper Merion Indoor Recreation and Community Center to the Board of Supervisors and nearly 50 residents. Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc.’s recent efforts include a traffic warrant analysis for installation of a traffic signal at General Knox Road/Caley Road and Valley Forge Road (PA-23). Other services include but are not limited to obtaining a Highway Occupancy permit for Valley Forge Road Roadway Improvements, preparing Right-Of-Way plans and providing public outreach services.
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January, 2014 – Construction Milestone for Science Center & Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. provided civil engineering and design services for the new University City Science Center and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. The 11-story tower at 38th and Market Streets in Philadelphia was topped off. The 300,000 SF facility showcases the growth of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, including more than 150,000 SF of state-of-the-art treatment, outpatient surgery, and rehabilitation facilities with nearly 110 exam rooms, 6 outpatient operating rooms, and an outpatient radiology center.
December, 2013 – Groundbreaking for Highrise Apartment at 38th & Chestnut Streets
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc provided civil engineering and design services for Radnor Property Group in the development of a new 25-story highrise apartment tower and 3-story office building at the bustling corner of 38th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. The apartment tower will be adjoined to the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral where a community center, school and day care center will be built. Construction of the $10 million mixed-use development for 38Chestnut Apartments and the Episcopal Cathedral Center is currently underway.
September, 2013 – Mid-Atlantic States ITE (MASITE) Technical Presentation
Jack Smyth, Jr. and Allie Slizofski (Drive Engineering) presented the City of Philadelphia Low Cost Safety Improvement Intersections Audits. The presentation was based on Safety Audits performed at 47 Intersections across the City of Philadelphia where observable operations including signal timing, vehicle movements, roadway and roadside conditions, signal equipment, signs and pavement markings were assessed. Reporting consisted of identifying Immediate Action Items, providing recommendations and furnishing of City Department of Streets Work Orders for implementation.
July, 2013 – Henderson Road Widening Ribbon Cutting
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was pleased to assist the Upper Merion Transportation Authority with the project completion and ribbon cutting for one of the main north/south arterials in Upper Merion Township. The $4 million project included South Henderson Road widening from south of Queens Drive through Saulin Boulevard, providing two lanes in each direction and a common center turning lane. This substantial investment by the Upper Merion Transportation Authority should pay dividends for the residents and commuters in Upper Merion Township.
June, 2013 – John Pickett Transportation Engineer Award
Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was honored to be the first recipient of the award named after the long time planning director for the Delaware County Planning Department. Among five Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA) members recognized, Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was awarded for their dedication and contribution to solving transportation-related issues and for their commitment to the environment in Delaware County.
November 2012 – Philadelphia University Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce (DEC) Opening
Opened in Fall of 2012, Boles, Smyth Associates, Inc. was the lead Civil Engineer for Philadelphia University’s DEC Center. Focused on sustainable storm water management practices, President and Principal Engineer Tim Boles developed state-of-the-art storm water management systems with both sustainable and economic benefits for the university.
