Project Overview
The purpose of this project is to construct a 0.75-mile extension of the Upper Bucks Rail Trail in Richland Township, Bucks County, PA. The new trail would provide a direct connection between two existing trails near the Walnut Banks Farms development. The trail would cross Walnut Bank Farm Road in two locations and will utilize high visibility crosswalks to ensure user safety. The trail itself will be composed of asphalt, unless a more appropriate surface is determined during design and engineering.
The trail is comprised of three segments:
Segment 1 – Heller Road to Existing Dirt Trail along Walnut Bank Farm Road (650 feet)
This segment will be a new 10’ wide asphalt sidepath trail located in the right-of-way along the east side of Walnut Bank Farm Road between Heller Road and existing dirt trail opposite Wagon Wheel Road. As part of the design of this segment, new ADA compliant ramps and a crosswalk will be constructed at the Heller Road/Walnut Bank Farm Road intersection.
Segment 2 – Walnut Bank Farm Road to Existing Trail east of solar panel array (1,390 feet)
This segment of the trail, approximately 1,390 feet, will begin at Segment 1 along Walnut Bank Farm Road and parallel the southern portion of the pond on TMP #36-17-33-2-41 and on the northern side of the solar panel array on TMP #36-22-68 and connect with the existing trail on the eastern side of the solar panel array. This segment will involve the construction of a structure to span the stream located on TMP #36-22-181. A portion of this segment is currently a dirt trail.
Segment 3 – Western side of Walnut Bank Farm Road (0.37 miles)
This segment will begin at the existing trail that Segment 2 connects to and run along the western side of Walnut Bank Farm Road until it reaches the existing trail on the southern side of Walnut Bank Farm Road on TMP # 36-22-182. This segment will be located in the right-of-way of Walnut Bank Farm Road. As part of the design of this segment, new ADA compliant ramps and a crosswalk will constructed at the Walnut Bank Farm Road intersection with the new trail. In order to ensure the highest level of safety of this crosswalk, rectangular rapid flashing beacons will be installed.