Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q.I’m hearing that a part of the trail is being built in Pottstown. Where is it and when will it open?

A. You are right. Construction has started on a 1.5 mile segment that will extend the trail from its current end at Keystone Boulevard to the Berks County Line. The trail will cross Old Reading Pike and Grosstown Roads. It will be 12 feet wide, macadam. Of course no motorized vehicles will be allowed. The trail was opened in May of 2006.

2. Q.I also wonder about the new Audubon Loop Trail, which will be a part of the Schuylkill River Trail. Sounds exciting. Can you give me some information about the Loop and when it will open?

A. The Audubon Loop Trail is a new connection to the County’s John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove. It will start at the Pawlings Road parking lot and extend to the Center and then go to Egypt Road where you can cross the PaDOT bridge over the Perkimomen to reach the Perkiomen Trail. In all, the loop will be 4.5 miles long. It’s exciting for the County because a visitor to the Audubon Center is now able to bicycle or walk from the main stem of the Schuylkill River Trail, AND the loop will give visitors a great short, diverse trail experience. Some of the trail will be cinder and there will be a steep hill to climb as you head toward Egypt Road from the Center, so visitors should be prepared. Road bikes will not be good for the entire Loop. If you have a road bike and you want to reach the Center, it is best to start at the Pawlings Road parking lot on the Schuylkill River Trail. The Loop trail is now open.

3. Q. What is happening in Conshohocken? It looks like a new development is disrupting the trail. Please explain?

A. A new condominium development is starting construction on March 1, 2005, at the intersection of W. Elm Street and Oak Street in Conshohocken Borough. During construction the Trail will be diverted onto a short detour along W. Elm Street (a side path) and Oak Street (share the road and sidewalks). As part of the construction, the developer will be building a new permanent trail along the Plymouth Creek and along the SEPTA Tracks to make the connection between Colwell Lane and Stoddard Street. The new trail will also make a connection to the new Cross County Trail and will be wider than the existing Trail area with new landscaping and connections to the new condos. Users should be aware that there is no longer a detour as of May 2006. The final trail is now in place through the Condo construction area.

4.Q. When you opened the new section west of Betzwood, I notice a lot of fencing. Why?

A. Good Question. The Trail in that section passes through the Valley Forge National Historical Park. Due to environmental concerns, the Park Service has asked the County to restrict access from the Trail to a couple of points where official trails are located. For the entire length of the Trail from Philadelphia to Oaks, visitors are asked to stay on the Trail and to access the Trail to and from clearly marked places. For various reasons, including private ownership outside the actual Trail limits and for environmental reasons, this restricted access is very important.

5. Q. During the winter, I often like to ride for recreation and for some commuting. I notice that the Trail has not been plowed this year. Will that change?

A. The Trail will not be regularly plowed. This winter has seen more snow than usual and that has put an added burden on our park crews. At least for now, you will have to wait until the snow is melted in the spring. Still, the Trail is available for cross country skiing.

6. Q. What is the status of the Trail between Phoenixville / Mont Clare and Pottstown? Who’s doing this and how can I get more information?

A. This segment of trail is being administered by the Chester County Parks Department and you can call them at 610-344-6415. Some information is contained in this web site under “new trail development”. Both Chester and Montgomery Counties expect to see completion various phases of that segment starting in 2007. A lot is happening with the trail extension, both in chester County and in Berks County, where the Schuylkill River Trail will be extending another 2 miles during the Fall of 2006 and will make a connection to the Thun Trail at Birdsboro. For more information on the Berks Extension to Reading, visit www. Schuylkillriver.org/maps/land_trails.asp:

7. Q.I am concerned about the safety of the Oaks Bridge, now that auto and truck traffic is using the bridge. What are you doing about this situation?

A. Good question. The County is building a new trail facility that will separate Trail users from the auto and truck traffic. The new facility will be completed by the Fall of 06. Sadly, there will be daytime delays and possible trail closures during construction in the Summer of 06. You will have to be prepared to alter some of your rides to accommodate us for a couple of months. During evenings and weekends, the Trial will be open, however, even during the construction period.