Trail Sections Planned for Construction in 2011
This spring has been a busy time for development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail! In addition to the opening of the Scranton Riverwalk, a number of important grants have come through to support trail development. One trail section is now “shovel ready” for construction from Scranton to Taylor, and three more sections from Archbald to Jermyn are ready for construction. LHVA is busy working on the next steps for several new trail sections.
South Scranton to Taylor Section – The Central New Jersey (CNJ) Rail-Trail Extension (Map)
This trail section parallels the Lackawanna River for two miles along an abandoned rail bed from Elm Street in South Scranton to Depot Street in Taylor, just south of the Canadian Pacific rail yards and one quarter mile from Main Avenue. It is a de facto trail, and although unimproved and somewhat rugged, it is enjoyed by hikers and intermediate-level mountain bikers.
LHVA is pleased to announce that this section of the LRHT is slated for construction in spring 2011. In 2008, Lackawanna County received funding for the “County Environmental Initiative” funded by Growing Greener II. Commissioners Michael J. Washo and Corey D. O’Brien requested that $750,000 of the Growing Greener II funds be designated for the development of the LRHT. In April, 2010, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources approved the Commissioners recommendations and provided a $750,000 grant to LHVA to construct the CNJ Rail-Trail Extension from Elm Street in Scranton to Depot Street in Taylor.
In June, 2010, the Commonwealth Financing Authority awarded Taylor Borough a grant of $350,000 for this project provided by gaming revenues of Mount Airy Resort and Casino. The Monroe County Local Share Account, a program designed to support community and economic development projects in counties in proximity to the casino’s location, administers these funds. These two grant awards complete the funding package for construction of the trail section. Support for the project also comes from PennDOT’s federal Transportation Enhancement program, as well as LHVA funds from private sources.
The master site plan, construction drawings, and environmental permitting have been completed, and the project has been reviewed by PennDOT. Bidding for construction will be advertised in the fall of 2010, with construction of the trail section anticipated in summer 2011.
Archbald to Jermyn Section – The Powdermill Rail-Trail (Map)
This three-mile section of the LRHT has three segments that lie in the Boroughs of Archbald and Jermyn. The first leg begins at the trailhead of the Mid-Valley (O&W) Rail-Trail at Laurel Street in Archbald. The trail continues along Laurel Street through the village of Archbald to the bridge at Gilmartin Street. From there, the trail travels along an abandoned rail bed for one mile to the treatment facility of the Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority (LRBSA). Beginning at the plant, the trail shares the facility’s access road for one mile to Delaware Street in Jermyn.
All three segments of the Powdermill Rail-Trail are “shovel ready.” Construction drawings are in hand, environmental permitting has been approved, and PennDOT has completed the field scoping.
In May, LHVA was awarded a $300,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Local Access Road program for construction of the northern segment of the Powdermill Rail-Trail on the LRBSA access road. The grant will be matched with funding from PennDOT’s Federal Transportation Enhancement program and private funding from LHVA. Construction of the trail will include improving and paving the access road, as well as developing a trailhead with parking at the Delaware Street end of the road. Bidding for construction will be advertised in spring 2010, with construction of the trail section anticipated for summer 2011.
LHVA is actively pursuing grant funding from state and federal sources for the construction of the first two segments of the Powdermill Rail-Trail. Funding announcements are expected in the fall, so stay tuned for further updates!
Scranton Levee Trail (Map)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building a levee system in Scranton as part of a large flood control project that involves the placement of levees and walls along the Lackawanna River. One levee runs from Olive Street to Poplar Street and Albright Avenue to Wood Street. Another levee has been built on the east bank of the river from Albright Avenue along Nay Aug Avenue to Green Ridge Street and on to Market Street. A third levee has been completed around the Plot Neighborhood. Although delayed in recent years by weather and design changes, the Army Corps reports that levee construction is nearing completion.
LHVA is working closely with the Army Corps, the City of Scranton, U.S. Congressman Paul Kanjorski, the Lackawanna River Corridor Association (LRCA), and the Lackawanna Valley Conservancy to develop a three mile multi-use trail atop the flood control levees. Congressman Kanjorski has obtained congressional approval for recreational amenities on the levee system.
Currently, LHVA and LRCA are designing elements such as tree islands, river access ramps, safety features, and amenities that will be incorporated into the trail’s design. In some areas, there are gaps between the levees. LHVA is assessing these “off levee” components of the trail system, and determining an alignment plan that will fill the gaps between the levees to create a contiguous trail.
LHVA is pursuing state funding for construction of the Scranton Levee Trail. There are definite signs of progress in this large project, and construction of the trail could begin as early as 2011.
For More Information
Stephanie Milewski, RLA
LHVA Trail Manager and Environmental Program Officer
(570) 963-6730 ext. 8203
smilewski@LHVA.org |
