Sen. Casey Visits Norristown, Discusses 3 Revitalization Projects

NORRISTOWN, PA — Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey was in Norristown Tuesday for a tour of a few successful local businesses, as well as to strategize a few important projects moving forward in the area.

Casey joined Montgomery County Commissioners Val Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence for a tour of Timshel Coffee, University Copy and Print, and Five Saints Distilling.

They then met up with Norristown Municipality Council President Sonya Sanders, along with Councilwoman Valerie Cooper, to discuss the ongoing revitalization of Norristown.

Three projects specifically were discussed: the Lafayette Street extension project, the new Justice Center, and the Chester Valley Trail extension.

Chester Valley Trail

The Chester Valley Trail extension would run for 3.88 miles through Upper Merion Township, running alongside North Gulph Road and connecting the Schuylkill River Trail.

It will involve installing three pedestrian bridges at South Gulph Road, Henderson Road, Boro Line Road, as well as enhancing two existing bridges for bike and pedestrian use. In addition, the historic freight station building at the intersection of the two trails will be renovated.

The project is being funded from numerous sources, including a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program grant, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources C2P2 grant program, and the William Penn Foundation, according to county officials.

You can submit online comments with you opinion and feedback on the project here.

Lafayette Street

The Lafayette Street Street extension project has been ongoing since 2008. It's currently in its third stage, which involves widening Lafayette Street and improving accessibility to the Schuylkill River Trail.

Construction between Barbadoes Street and Ford Street began in early spring 2018 and is expected to be completed by fall 2020.

Justice Center

The roughly $406 million new Justice Center will be built along with a renovation and expansion of Hancock Square park. Officials are hopeful construction can be completed by 2025.

Editor’s note: a previous version of this story included an incorrect estimated cost for the Justice Center. The story has been corrected.