7/29/2019 Letter to PA Turnpike Commissioner Compton - 03 15 2013

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1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107 Philadelphia PA, 19102 p: (215) BICYCLE f: (215) 220-3004 www.bicyclecoalition.org

Friday, March 15, 2013

Mr. Mark ComptonCEO, PA Turnpike CommissionP. O. Box 67676700 South Eisenhower BoulevardMiddletown, PA 17057

Dear Mr. Compton,

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is writing this letter to request information and to proposebeginning a conversation to help expedite completion of the Chester Valley Trailin King of Prussia,Montgomery County.

As we understand it, Montgomery County received $2.4 million in CMAQ funding to design and build a sectionof the Chester Valley Trail from Saulin Boulevard in King of Prussia to the intersection with South Gulph Roadin Upper Merion Township, nearly completing the connection to the Chester County sections of the trail.

The proposed alignment was slated to utilize PECO, PA Turnpike Commission, and East Penn RR rights-of-way. Specifically, the Turnpike Commission had previously agreed with Montgomery County that the right ofway starting near the intersection of South Henderson Rd and Hansen Access Road, and proceeding forapproximately a 0.5-mile west could be used for the trail connection. However, as we now understand it, theproject recently has come to a halt due to the PA Turnpike Commissions decision to deny Montgomery Countyright-of-way on its property.

We understand that this specific section of PA Turnpike right-of-way is very valuable, due to its narrowness; tothe proposed construction of the Norristown slip ramps; and to its possible future use in the proposed extensionof SEPTA light rail to the King of Prussia Mall.

Certainly, these are worthwhile projects. However, given the time and effort expended not only byMontgomery County but by many regional partners, to make this Chester Valley Trail to Schuylkill River Trailconnection happen, we are extremely concerned that the Turnpike Authoritys decision will further delay the

project and potential put the grants received for this project in jeopardy. The $2.4 million CMAQ grant thatwould have funded this segment is only the latest in a long line of efforts, including work previously completedwith a 2009 $10 million ARRA grant and the 2012 $325,000 DVRPC Regional Trail Fund grant.

7/29/2019 Letter to PA Turnpike Commissioner Compton - 03 15 2013

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1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107 Philadelphia PA, 19102 p: (215) BICYCLE f: (215) 220-3004 www.bicyclecoalition.org

In addition, this segment is considered a critical connection in the Circuit network between Chester County andMontgomery County and Philadelphiain other words, one of the highest ranking priorities in the regional trailnetwork. Many regional partners would be incredibly upset if this connection did not happen after so manydecades of work. Finally, this project has advanced beyond the stage of other projectswhere other projectsmight only be in the vision or feasibility stage, the trail project was funded for final design and construction.

Accordingly, this trail connection should be taken as seriously as the other potential uses of this right-of-way.

Nonetheless, we know that the PA Turnpike Commission must balance varied interests. To assist you in thisprocess, we must also say that we believe there might be a win-win solution that makes all projects mentionedabove possible.

But, to identify that solution, we need additional information; and we would like to propose starting aconversation to explore the scope of what this win-win solution might be.

Here are a few pieces of additional information that might help us explore a potential solution:

1) Can you provide us with additional clarification on any of the facts listed above?2) What is the specific use currently proposed for the Turnpike Authoritys right-of-way?3) What are the specific needs and impacts of the Norristown slip-ramp project on this right-of-way?4) What are the specific needs and impacts of the SEPTAs King of Prussia Rail project on this right -of-way?5) Are there any other projects, whether proposed by Turnpike Commission or others, which might have an impact

on this right-of-way?

Going forward, we would like to request a meeting with you to discuss these questions and to start the searchfor a potential solution. We would invite representatives from Montgomery County and DVRPC to be at thismeeting as well.

We understand that there might be a need for additional planning and engineering to arrive at that solution.However, we cannot let so much work just fall to the wayside. Potential solutions might include the need for ajoint study to determine the best alternative rights-of-way for each mode through this pinch point; and/or thepossibility of a Rail with Trail design for the right of way. We would be glad to explore these and any otherideas you might have.

We invite you and the entire PA Turnpike Commission to join us in seeking a better solution that will result in afully connected Chester Valley Trail in Montgomery County.

7/29/2019 Letter to PA Turnpike Commissioner Compton - 03 15 2013

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1500 Walnut Street, Suite 1107 Philadelphia PA, 19102 p: (215) BICYCLE f: (215) 220-3004 www.bicyclecoalition.org

Very Truly Yours,

Sarah Clark StuartPolicy Director, Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia

Cc: Leslie Richards, Montgomery County CommissionerTerrence Farrell, Chester County CommissionerBarry Seymour, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission