KOP Rail Plan Study Looks To Improve Walkability, Bikeability

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — SEPTA's plan to extend the Norristown High Speed Line into King of Prussia has taken two significant steps forward recently.

Firstly, SEPTA approved a contract for additional engineering work on the extension. In addition, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) published a study on local land use and examines ways to improve pedestiran and bike access to the planned stations.

The extenson will extend the rail by about 4.5 miles on an elevated platform, and includes five new station stops.

The project received an initial formal approval from SEPTA in Jan. 2018. It's has no relationship to the Phoenixville Regional Rail extension proposal, which would also bring a new transit station to King of Prussia but deals with the Manayunk/Norristown line.

The newly approved contract brings together a consultant team led by HNTB, a Missouri-based construction and engineering company. Their work will focus on preliminary design, ranging from surveying to utility and geotechnical studies, organizers said.

“It is great to see the project moving forward,” Jerry Sweeney, Chairman of the KOP Rail Coalition Advisory Committee, said in a statement. "KOP Rail promotes and strengthens regional growth, and is needed to connect the three largest employment centers in the region-- King of Prussia, University City and Center City. I am excited to see where this project takes us."

The DVRPC study looked closely at the land and roads surrounding each of the proposed stations, and suggested ways to expand walking and biking access to each.

The five stations include one at Henderson Road, two at the King of Prussia Mall, and two in Moore Park KOP, formerly known as the KOP Business Park.

The High Speed Line runs along 22 other stops from the 69th Street Transportation Center in Philadelphia, through Wynnewood, Ardmore, Haverford, and Radnor, and out to Norristown.

EPTA says that the rail would reduce travel time between Center City and King of Prussia by 30 minutes each way. It also improves the region's sustainability and walkability, while finally providing a rail link to one of the greater Philadelphia area's economic hotspots.

The final environmental impact statement, which will mark the final phase of the project's approval, is expected to be released at some point in 2019, officials said.

Images courtesy VisitKOP.com