This morning, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Board adopted the Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania to receive and spend federal funds towards transportation improvement priorities in Southeast Pennsylvania. The TIP includes a record-breaking $322 million investment in Circuit Trails and $84 million for Circuit Trails-adjacent projects—the largest amount ever programmed for the network. This is proof that trails are being treated as essential infrastructure, making it safer and easier to walk and bike in the greater Philadelphia region.
The TIP for Pennsylvania will program a variety of funding sources to a range of regional trail projects, including the Chester Valley Trail, Cross County Trail, Newtown Rail Trail, East Coast Greenway in Delaware County, Chester Creek Trail, the Wissahickon Gateway and the Spring Garden Street Connector. This investment is funded with a mix of local and federal funds, including CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program), which has been a primary funding source for trails over the years.
See below for the full list of Circuit Trails projects that have been included in the TIP for PA:
| Project Title | Total Project Funding |
| The Circuit Line Item• | $66,953,000 |
| Chester Valley Trail: P&T Phase 1 | $8,538,000 |
| Cross County Trail East – Section A | $5,200,000 |
| Cross County Trail East – Section B | $8,272,000 |
| Cross County Trail Extension | $25,001,000 |
| Cross County Trail: Wissahickon Trail – SEPTA’s Fort Washington Station | $10,112,000 |
| North Delaware Riverfront Greenway project, Sec 3 | $2,669,000 |
| PA 23/Valley Forge Road and North Gulph Road Relocation (2NG) | $21,218,000 |
| PA 291 Drainage Improvement | $13,837,000 |
| Schuylkill Banks: Bartram – Passyunk Phase 2 | $10,928,000 |
| Spring Garden Connector | $58,583,000 |
| PA 291 Complete Streets: Irving St to Ridley Ck | $50,070,000 |
| State Road Reconstruction | $38,822,000 |
| Delaware Canal Enhancement | $2,550,000 |
| Total: | $322,753,000 |
*The Circuit Line Item includes funding for the Newtown Rail Trail Phase 3 and Phase 4, the Chester Creek Trail Phase 2, the Parkside Cynwyd Trail, and the Wissahickon Gateway.
Thanks to you and many others who took action, we emphatically let the DVRPC know that we don’t just want more trails in our region–we demand more accessible, safe, convenient ways to walk and bike to the places we need to go. We are so grateful to have your support as we work towards achieving our goal of reaching 550 miles of the Circuit by 2030.
Source: The DVRPC Board Presentation
This progress is also thanks to the leadership of county commissioners who have championed the Circuit Trails and advocated for funds to boost priority trail projects in communities where better infrastructure means real gains in mobility, health and economic opportunity. The landmark investments in these key corridors of the Circuit Trails network is a major step forward in connecting the entire region by trail, making it safer and easier for people in 9 counties to walk and bike where they want to go. With the prioritization of federal funds towards these projects, we’re closer to reaching our goal of 550 miles by 2030.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is a founding member of the Circuit Trails Coalition and leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Join or renew to continue that advocacy and education work throughout the region. More info here.