Notes from 1/30/04 Meeting
of the PA Committee,
East Coast Greenway Alliance
The Annual Meeting of the national East Coast Greenway Alliance will be held
in Jersey City, New Jersey in November. The Spring Board of Trustees
meeting will take place in Springfield, Massachusetts in early April. Any
one wanting more information should contact Dennis.
Any funds raised on behalf of the PA Committee and a portion of trail
sponsor and membership dues is kept in a PA account by the national ECGA.
The VA state committee is asking its General Assembly for a Recognition
Resolution. Dennis felt that with the level of support the ECG has among PA
elected and public officials, it was probably not necessary to do the same
with the PA General Assembly.
Dennis asked that a subcommittee be established to explore any trail
designation that might be achieved this year at the November Annual Meeting.
John Madera, Bobbi Britton, Bob Thomas, and Tracy Childress agreed to
serve on it. One route that might be considered for designation would be 8
miles thru Philly that John Madera has studied. This route would not use
the Schuylkill River Trail. Committee will report back to full committee.
ECGA-related projects received over $4.6 million in the first-round approval
process for Transportation Enhancement money (federal highway dollars). See
attached breakdown. This may NOT be the final list – because the DVRPC
Board of Commissioners make the final decision, but it is likely that any
changes will be minor – this is a BIG DAY for ECG!
Delaware – Lehigh Canal is on the northern end of the PA ECG. Ken Edmonds
is now on their board. The new bridge for the PA Turnpike is being lobbied
to include a ped/bike path on the side of the bridge. Turnpike Commission
is resisting, claiming that their charter exempts them from providing for
ped/bikes. But they're asking for federal money, and federal law may trump
their charter. More lobbying is needed, and most important, a provision for
the ECG on a new bridge must get place in the region’s 2030 Long Range Plan
and any subsequent Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
K&T trail has received money for 1.8 miles of continuous off-road rail
trail. However, getting the deed from CSX is still an issue (one year of
delay). Lower 1.8 miles is set for construction in 2006. The Regional plan
includes connections to the greenway. A new non-profit organization (The
Kensington & Tacony Renaissance Corporation) is being established to fund
and oversee the whole North Delaware project: 9.6 miles and almost all
off-road.
Schuylkill Trail: Railing is going up on the Schuylkill Trail this month.
At-grade crossings will be discussed w/ CSX in the next few weeks. Lighting
should be turned on in a month or less. Landscaping to be finished by fall.
Tinicum/Font Mifflin Trail got lots of money from the Transportation
Enhancement process. They are moving ahead with planning etc.
National wants a PA work plan for 2004. Dennis wants trail designation to
be first priority. But that should not distract us from our longer-term
goals that will be far more impressive and valuable than hanging an ECG sign
on a short segment.
October 2-3 a national full-length tour comes thru Philly on a fund raising
ride. 12 riders who have raised $10,000 or more EACH will ride north to
south. We want to sponsor 1 or 2 events to celebrate their ride. Bobbi,
Gary, and Ken will form a sub-committee to plan the ceremonies. A ribbon
cutting on a PA trail segment or a group ride-a-long, perhaps including the
Bicycle Club of Philadelphia & White Clay Bicycle Club will probably be the
major sponsors/sources of the participants.
Interim Trail: PennDOT is (again) planning to put up the signs in March.
Ken Edmonds will send Gary a name and address of the person to encourage at
PennDOT District 6. Gary will ask BCP to authorize a letter to District 6
impressing the need for the signage.
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