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bikeways and trail projects | planning and study projects

about bikeways and trail projects

Transportation, Recreational, Community Development

Rails to Trails
Multi-Use
Neighborhood Revitalization/Sustainable Communities
Environmental Improvement
Historic Site Access
TEA21 Grants

selected project examples
Valley Forge Trail	Location: Philadelphia- Valley Forge Bikeway, Phases I-IV Client: Montgomery County Planning Commission Completion Date: 1995 Notes: We have designed ten miles of bikeway, largely on a former Conrail line, and took an active role in negotiations with a large variety of agencies and property owners. Coordination work included the creation of three new grade crossings to allow the bikeway to pass through industrial areas. Construction was completed in 1993 on eight miles, with the two remaining miles to be complete by 1995. This innovative bikeway, the first section of the Valley Forge Trail, was built on an active railroad right- of-way where one track had been removed. We were instrumental in negotiating with Conrail, and have provided full planning, design, bidding, and construction phase services.
Audubon Loop Trail & Mont Clare Connector Trail along the Perkiomen Creek John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. The First Home of John James Audubon in America.	Location: Upper & Lower Providence Townships, Montgomery County, PA Client: Montgomery Co. Planning Commission Completion Date: All Segments June 2006 The Audubon Loop Trail links the Schuylkill River Trail at Pawlings Road with Lower Perkiomen Park and SEPTA Route 99 at Egypt Road, providing another Campbell Thomas designed link in Montgomery County's ever-growing trail network. An immediate success, the Audubon Loop, combined with existing trails on the opposite bank of the Perkiomen Creek, has been heavily used by walkers, hikers and bikers to explore the beauty of the lower Perkiomen Valley. Moreover, the Audubon Loop Trail has reduced parking demands at Mill Grove and increased visitation. Operated by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society, Mill Grove was John James Audubon's first home in North America. Eighteen years old at the time of his arrival, Audubon spent much of his time roaming the wooded hills along the Perkiomen Creek and the Schuylkill River hunting, observing, collecting, sketching, and developing his life-long love of the feathered and furred residents of North America. The Audubon Loop Trail links to the County's Mont Clare Connector Trail, opened in Spring 2008. The Mont Clare Connector extends the Schuylkill River Trail from its current end at the beginning of the Perkiomen Trail to the major center of Mont Clare/Phoenixville at Route 29, providing for the first time a water-level, traffic-free route all the way to Center City Philadelphia.
Feasibility Study for the Gettysburg to Hanover Trail	Location: Adams and York Counties, Pennsylvania Client: Healthy Adams County & York County Rail Trail Authority York County Rail Trail Authority and Healthy Adams County hired Campbell Thomas to develop potential alignments, and an implementation plan, for a multipurpose trail between Gettysburg and Hanover, Pennsylvania. This trail will ultimately become a key link in the proposed 185-mile Grand History Loop. Because only fragments of abandoned rail beds exist between Gettysburg and Hanover, entirely new alignments needed to be considered. Factors which were studied include property ownership patterns, configuration of interlocking natural stream valleys, and the greenway and open space plans of local and county governments. The study yielded three possible alignments, each of which were carefully analyzed and compared with regard to cost, availability of property, and the quality of the trail users’ experience.
Whitemarsh Township-wide Bicycle/ Pedestrian System Study	Location: Whitemarsh Township, PA Client: Whitemarsh Townsip Campbell Thomas & Co, is currently working to produce a feasibility study, and to prepare a prioritized plan of what improvements would be required to make Whitemarsh Township completely walkable and bikeable. In addition to such improvements as sidewalks and bicycle lanes, we are reviewing the potential for the development of off-road trails, such as the “Wissahickon to Schuylkill Connector” to link with communities, parks, and the regional trail system. Our work includes a complete inventory and analysis of the potential trail, path and bike route system. This analysis will include the natural and built features that are within or immediately adjacent to a potential trail system, property ownership and right of way, as well as any historic or recreational features that could potentially be linked to the trails as part of the overall Township-Wide System. We are performing a public participation process, including a citizen surveys and public meetings, that will secure input from residents and several community organizations.
complete list of bikeways	A complete list of our bikeway and trails projects is available here.

about planning and study projects

The firm’s planning work includes, mapping, neighborhood stabilization and restoration planning, and greenway planning and design.

selected project examples

Beth Sholom Synagogue Keystone Grant Application

Location: 8231 Old York Rd. Elkins Park, PA
Client: Beth Sholom Congregation
Contact: Harvey Friedrich, Exec. Director, 215-887-4489
Completion Date: 2003

Notes: The Beth Sholom Synagogue, designed by renowned architect Frank Llyod Wright, is an icon of American architecture. Wright defined the building as the 1st American Synagogue because of its use of native materials, textures, and colors in demonstrating its Biblical roots to Judaism. Completed in 1957, the Synagogue is now in need of historically sensitive repairs including recoating of the lower roofs, repairing exterior masonry walls and application of watertight coating, restaining the entry step and walkway area. refinishing the Wright designed Bema Furniture used for ritual purposes, repairing upholstery of seat cushions and refinishing interior metal and glass doors. The Synagogue hired CT&C to research funding options for these repairs. CT&C later completed a Keystone Grant Application for the Synagogue.

American Swedish Historical Museum Preservation Plan

Location: 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA
Client: American Swedish Historical Museum
Contact: Richard Waldron, Director, 215-389-1776
ASHM hired CT&C to complete a Historic Preservation Plan for the Museum's building. The project was prompted by a persistent water problem in the Museum's basement that threatens the safety of the collections, the building's integrity, and its ability to function as a Museum.

Philadelphia Zoo Parking & Access Study

Location: 34th St & Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA
Client: The Zoological Society of Philadelphia and the Parkside Historic Preservation Corp.
Contact: Kenneth Woodson, Zoological Society of Phila, 215-243-1100ex338
Completion Date: 2003

Notes: For several years, the Philadelphia Zoo has sought to improve parking and access to the Zoo. CT&C previously prepared the Zoo Transportation Center Study, which reviewed the re-opening of a Regional Rail Station. Later, in early 2002 CT&C developed a concept for a mixed-use facility at 35th & Girard Avenue to include commercial development, structured parking, and a future Regional Rail Station. In August of 2002, CT&C and its team of engineers, planners, traffic consultants and cost estimator were asked to prepare a parking and access study. The design solutions incorporated the Zoo’s existing historical buildings and site plan and solutions that could co-exist and benefit the surrounding Parkside Historical Neighborhood and Fairmount Park landscape.

complete project list

Click to see our complete list of planning and study projects

about planning and study projects
	The firm’s planning work includes, mapping, neighborhood stabilization and restoration planning, and greenway planning and design.

selected project examples
Beth Sholom Synagogue Keystone Grant Application	Location: 8231 Old York Rd. Elkins Park, PA Client: Beth Sholom Congregation Contact: Harvey Friedrich, Exec. Director, 215-887-4489 Completion Date: 2003 Notes: The Beth Sholom Synagogue, designed by renowned architect Frank Llyod Wright, is an icon of American architecture. Wright defined the building as the 1st American Synagogue because of its use of native materials, textures, and colors in demonstrating its Biblical roots to Judaism. Completed in 1957, the Synagogue is now in need of historically sensitive repairs including recoating of the lower roofs, repairing exterior masonry walls and application of watertight coating, restaining the entry step and walkway area. refinishing the Wright designed Bema Furniture used for ritual purposes, repairing upholstery of seat cushions and refinishing interior metal and glass doors. The Synagogue hired CT&C to research funding options for these repairs. CT&C later completed a Keystone Grant Application for the Synagogue.
American Swedish Historical Museum Preservation Plan	Location: 1900 Pattison Ave., Philadelphia, PA Client: American Swedish Historical Museum Contact: Richard Waldron, Director, 215-389-1776 ASHM hired CT&C to complete a Historic Preservation Plan for the Museum's building. The project was prompted by a persistent water problem in the Museum's basement that threatens the safety of the collections, the building's integrity, and its ability to function as a Museum.
Philadelphia Zoo Parking & Access Study	Location: 34th St & Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA Client: The Zoological Society of Philadelphia and the Parkside Historic Preservation Corp. Contact: Kenneth Woodson, Zoological Society of Phila, 215-243-1100ex338 Completion Date: 2003 Notes: For several years, the Philadelphia Zoo has sought to improve parking and access to the Zoo. CT&C previously prepared the Zoo Transportation Center Study, which reviewed the re-opening of a Regional Rail Station. Later, in early 2002 CT&C developed a concept for a mixed-use facility at 35th & Girard Avenue to include commercial development, structured parking, and a future Regional Rail Station. In August of 2002, CT&C and its team of engineers, planners, traffic consultants and cost estimator were asked to prepare a parking and access study. The design solutions incorporated the Zoo’s existing historical buildings and site plan and solutions that could co-exist and benefit the surrounding Parkside Historical Neighborhood and Fairmount Park landscape.
complete project list	Click to see our complete list of planning and study projects