About this Project

The Chester Valley Trail is a popular multi-use route, attracting about 30,000 users each month from April to October. Currently 14.7 miles long, Chester County is actively working to extend the trail by another five miles. Phase IVa continues the trail approximately one mile west of its current end at Main Street in Exton, connecting to Oakland’s Corporate Center. Located in West Whiteland Township and within the Valley Creek Watershed, the extension will be fully paved and ADA-compliant, featuring a 10–12-foot-wide path and a right-of-way that is 66 feet wide.

AEG provided both preliminary and final design services for key structural elements, including a 140-foot prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridge over South Whitford Road. They prepared Type, Size, and Location (TS&L) plans and final design documents following PennDOT Design Manuals. The team also designed prefabricated block retaining walls to support the elevated trail approaches on both sides of the bridge.

Additional tasks included inspecting and planning for the rehabilitation of an existing three-cell reinforced concrete culvert. AEG evaluated culvert geometry, channel protection, wingwall conditions, and roadway integrity to estimate how much longer it can serve effectively. The project also involved conducting surveys, acquiring real estate, obtaining environmental permits, and coordinating with stakeholders.