State grant money will pay for a small section of the Schuylkill River Train near Auburn.
According to information from Harrisburg, the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources granted Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area $367,500 to construct .15 miles of trail in Auburn. The new trail runs from River Road to Auburn Bridge Road.
Schuylkill River Trail Grant Money to Auburn
Why such news over a small portion of trail?
According to State Sen. Dave Argall, the project connects two disconnected parts of the Schuylkill River Trail near Auburn. He says in a statement, the dead end in the trail is a source of frustration. The announced project will complete the trail there. Schuylkill River Trail runs from Frackville to Philadelphia.
So, in addition to just carving a trail along the river, the grant money goes toward:
- Construction of a ramp
- Building a retaining wall
- Landscaping
- Americans with Disabilities Act features
“The Schuylkill River Trail near Auburn is one of the most scenic trails in all of Pennsylvania, and it provides an extremely valuable means of recreation and transportation for people who work in neighboring communities,” Argall says in a statement released by his office.
State Rep. Mike Tobash says, “In addition to creating new recreational opportunities in the area, this project offers an alternate path for community residents to travel back and forth without using (Route) 61. Creating another way for members of the community to travel will create a safer environment for motorists, bicyclists, joggers and other people who travel between Schuylkill and Berks counties.”
The trail project should be completed next year.
