County trail project moves ahead

Commissioners approve feasibility study grant pact

NORRISTOWN » Efforts to improve the area’s Cross County Trail took another step forward as the Montgomery County Commissioners authorized a $120,000 grant contract to conduct a feasibility study on sections in Plymouth and Whitemarsh townships.

Bill Hartman, open space planning manager for the Montgomery County Planning Commission, addressed commissioners earlier this month during their last meeting of the year to discuss the ongoing development of the Cross County Trail.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission awarded the $120,000 grant to county planning officials in April as part of the Regional Trails Program, according to Hartman. The agreement also stipulates a $30,000 match from Montgomery County.

Hartman noted in his Dec. 16 presentation that this endeavor will aid officials in their work on an “advanced feasibility study of two segments of the Cross County Trail in Plymouth and Whitemarsh townships.”

One portion of interest located on Germantown Pike in Plymouth Township is slated to “tie into another section of the proposed county trail on Joshua Road at the KYW property,” according to Hartman.

He added the other is south of Skippack Pike in Whitemarsh Township near Fort Washington State Park. The proposed path “will extend north to where it will tie into existing portion of the Cross County trail at the Fort Washington SEPTA Regional Rail station.”

Grant funds for the studies are expected to cover costs of “trail alignment alternatives,” “preferred alignment” as well as “preliminary cost estimates of acquisition, design and construction,” Hartman said.

“We understand the contracting process and other conditions required to accept and incur

costs related to these planning grant dollars, and we agree to perform these services, and comply with the requirements specified in the agreement that will be between DVRPC and Montgomery County as well as its related exhibits,” Hartman said.

The resolution ultimately passed unanimously.

“Thanks, Mr. Hartman.

It’s great to see this moving along, slowly but surely,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh.