Authored By: The Circuit Trails

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) approved landmark funding for the Circuit Trails as part of its FY2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) on July 25. The TIP includes $120 million in federal Carbon Reduction Program funding to connect significant segments of the Circuit Trails championed by the Circuit Trails Coalition in four major corridors–Spring Garden Street Greenway, Cross County Trail, Chester Valley Trail and Route 291 Trail/East Coast Greenway. Paired with other funding sources, the total potential investment in the Circuit Trails network is more than $200 million.

“This landmark investment in trail networks underscores how important walking and biking infrastructure is to helping people across our region get around without a car,” said Patrick Starr, Chair of the Circuit Trails Coalition. “This victory puts us one step closer to our goal of completing 500 miles by 2025 and is thanks to the leadership of DVRPC and the region’s county commissioners. The Circuit Trails network shows how to prioritize investments in walking and biking infrastructure that make a difference to the health of people and the planet.”

This large-scale investment in the connectivity of corridors has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Pennsylvania to lead the nation and create a model for how Carbon Reduction Program funds can be leveraged to create trail and active transportation networks. This infrastructure amplifies the region’s climate resiliency and improves quality of life for residents, ensuring more people can get where they need to go without a car. Nationwide, increases in connected trails and active transportation infrastructure is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12 million tons annually and are an essential component of a low- or no-carbon transportation system.
Connected trail and active transportation systems are at the center of this landmark moment due to the support and collaboration of county commissioners in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties and the support of partners across the region.

“Through collaborative work across counties, we’ve been able to catalyze the region, establishing the critical role the Circuit Trails serve in addressing issues related to climate, safety and mobility,” said Christine Reuther, Delco County Council member and former DVRPC board chair. “Trails serve as a catalyst for economic development as well, especially Delaware County’s priority trail, the East Coast Greenway.”

More than 600 citizens across the region demonstrated their support for this investment during the DVRPC public comment period in June.

In 2023, $41.7 million in federal, state and local funds were secured for multiple Circuit Trails projects, including a $19 million federal RAISE grant for the Camden County LINK Trail, and the Route 291/East Coast Greenway project in the City of Chester was the recent recipient of a $2.5 million federal Neighborhood Access and Equity grant. This influx of funding further establishes the clear momentum to achieve the Circuit Trails Coalition’s goal of completing 500 miles by 2025 and creating connectivity to provide safe, convenient walking and biking routes for the entire Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region.

“This significant level of investment will create new connections and close critical gaps in the Circuit Trails network,” said Starr. “Increased trail connectivity makes trails safer and more convenient as alternative means of getting to jobs, doing errands, and enjoying outdoor recreation and exercise whether or not people have cars.”