Township of Radnor: March 2021: Radnor TAP Trail Breaks Ground

Press release from the Township of Radnor:

Posted on: February 24, 2021

March 2021: Radnor TAP Trail Breaks Ground

After years of planning and coordination with community partners, the much-anticipated Radnor TAP Trail project will break ground next month with a scheduled completion date of late summer 2021. The project launch is a complement to the collaborative efforts of past and present Radnor Township Board of Commissioners, Radnor Township School District, Cornerstone Homeowners Association, PENN Medicine, the Radnor Township Manager, the Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission and the Radnor Township Department of Engineering.

“This project is an investment in our community and shows a continued commitment to trail enhancements throughout the Township as outlined in the Township’s Greenways and Open Space Network Plan,” said Bill White, Township Manager. “Thank you to our community partners and especially the past and present Radnor Township Board of Commissioners and School Board Members for their support.”

Nearly a decade ago Radnor Township commissioned the Radnor Greenways and Open Space Network Plan to develop a comprehensive network of routes that link the community to prominent destinations, including open space preserves and parks. Based on community feedback about various Township destinations, the Radnor Comprehensive Trails Map was developed, and the Township began grant applications to fund the proposed local, non-motorized transportation alternatives and recreational opportunities. In Fall 2016, thanks to the hardworking community partnerships that led to the development of the Radnor Greenways and Open Space Plan, Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT announced the allocation of $1 million in federal funds for construction of the Radnor TAP Trail. PennDOT made selections based on such criteria as safety benefits, reasonableness of cost, readiness for implementation, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leverage of other projects or funding.

Total Project Cost

Total Project Cost

$2,800,000

Grant Funding Sources

Grant Funding Sources

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program

$1,000,000

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

$500,000

Delaware County Green Ways Municipal Grant Program (Delaware County Council: Brian P. Zidek, Chair; Dr. Monica Taylor, Vice Chair; Kevin M. Madden; Elaine Paul Schaefer; Christine A. Reuther)

$500,000

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

$225,000

Radnor Township Share

$575,000

The trail will provide a 5-mile north/south circuit route through almost all the Township with connectivity to Haverford Township, creating a nearly 7.6-mile on-road and off-road bicycle and pedestrian route. These improvements will enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create trails that serve a transportation purpose, offer a safe walk to school route, and promote safety and mobility in our community. A special effort was made by the Radnor Township School District and Radnor Township Shade Tree Commission to identify trees for removal and to carefully source tree species for replanting with commitment to enriching the future canopy. In total, the project includes the replacement of 137 trees and 203 fragrant sumac shrubs along the trail around Radnor High School and 32 additional trees at other trail locations and 5 stormwater management facilities.

“This project is an example of what can be accomplished when the community comes together with the goal of enhancing overall quality of life,” said Lisa Borowski, 4th Ward Commissioner. “From prior Boards of Commissioners, Radnor’s Shade Tree Commission, and Radnor Township School District to Penn Medicine, the state, the Cornerstone HOA, and our own Radnor Township staff, each has played a vital role in bringing this project to fruition. When complete, it will be yet another wonderful amenity added to the long list of resources we enjoy, as a community, in Radnor.” Radnor Township School District, Cornerstone HOA, PENN Medicine Radnor Township School District, Cornerstone Homeowners Association and PENN Medicine were crucial partners in the development of the Radnor TAP Trail, specifically the 1 mile of paved trail adjacent to the entities on King of Prussia Road which will offer a safer path of travel for students and residents alike. The 8’ wide shared use trail parallels Lancaster Avenue to King of Prussia Road. The shared trail continues up King of Prussia Road, past the Radnor High School and Penn Medicine to the northern end of Radnor Chester Road. From this point, trail users can access the Radnor Station, Radnor Elementary School, and the soon to be completed Harford Trail, which ends at Harford Park and the Creutzberg Center.

In addition to the Radnor High School and Radnor SEPTA Train Station connectivity, the trail will extend through most of the Township including the following points of interest:

Bryn Mawr Avenue The 8’ wide shared use trail connects to the west with the bike path along South Ithan Avenue and to Bryn Mawr Avenue. Heading east the trail connects users with Haverford Township along the path adjacent to the Cornerstone Homeowners Association property.

South Ithan Avenue The South Ithan Avenue portion of the Radnor Tap Trail consists of a shared lane bicycle path from Villanova University, the SEPTA Stadium Station, and Lancaster Avenue to Bryn Mawr Avenue, where a bike refuge is located. Pavement markings then mark the way to the 8’ wide shared use trail that leads users to Haverford Township.

Downtown Wayne From the Friends of the Radnor Trail Park, cyclists will use a shared lane path along West Wayne Avenue. As they traverse West Wayne Avenue, between Bloomingdale Road and South Wayne Avenue, there is an actual bike lane. Proceeding from South Wayne Avenue into downtown Wayne, a shared road path provides access to the Wayne Business District, Lancaster Avenue, and the Wayne Train Station.

Wayne Preserve SWM As part of the stormwater management for the newly created impervious surfaces for the Radnor TAP Trail, a small infiltration basin is being installed at the eastern end of the West Wayne Preserve.

“Working with community partners on this sizeable open space plan that promotes the health and wellness of our community is gratifying, both professionally and personally. Thank you to the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners, Township Manager Bill White, and our community partners for working diligently to support the project,” said Stephen F. Norcini, PE. “I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to contribute to the Radnor TAP Trail project from its inception.”

Please check www.radnor.com/RadnorTapTrail for project updates. Should there be any questions or concerns, please email RadnorTapTrail@radnor.org for project inquiries.

ABOUT RADNOR TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING The mission of the Engineering Department is to furnish professional expertise to various Township Boards, Commissioners, Township Manager, and other departments as necessary for those Boards and Departments to fulfill their charge under the Township's Home Rule Charter. Some examples of our advice concern engineering, stormwater management, stormwater runoff, sanitary sewers, flood plain management, and subdivision, and land development issues within Radnor Township. The Engineering Department oversees capital projects from inception, design, bidding, construction and construction management. The Department serves as the liaison to the Planning Commission, Shade Tree Commission, and the Environmental Advisory Council. Visit Radnor Township at: http://www.radnor.com Like us on Facebook: http://Facebook.com/RadnorTown... Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/radnortowns... Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/radnortow...

For more information, Press Only:Molly GallagherPress Information Officer 610.688.5600 x 197

This press release was produced by the Township of Radnor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.