Proposal Would Connect Chester Valley Trail To Lancaster County

WEST CHESTER, PA — Officials in Lancaster and Chester counties are looking at a proposal that would extend the Chester Valley Trail and could eventually provide a trail connection from Philadelphia into Lancaster.

The Planning Commission's new Chester Valley Trail West project would extend the trail westward to eventually connect with the forthcoming Enola Low Grade Trail. Enola is a planned 29-mile multi-use trail outside of Atglen.

The westward expansion would send the CVT through eight municipalities in the county, including Downingtown, Caln, Coatesville, Valley, Parkesburg, Sadsbury, West Sadsbury, and Atglen, officials said.

Organizers hope the expansions could eventually help connect a trail-only path from center city Philadelphia into Lancaster County. Construction on the CVT in 2018 is anticipated to link its eastern terminus near the Montgomery County line in Upper Merion with the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown. That segment runs through Bridgeport and Upper Merion.

The CVT, founded in 1991, roughly follows Route 202 from Upper Merion through Chesterbrook, Tredyffrin, Great Valley, and East Whiteland, to West Whiteland.

The county is actively seeking the public's input on the westward extension via a survey. To take the survey, follow the link here.

Image via Chester County