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The
Woodhaven Greenway...a welcome addition to Somerton & surrounding Communities |
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Current
Condition:
The photo illustrates the approximate location of the existing
PENNDOT Right-of-Way (ROW) in Somerton that is being reserved to build the extension
to either Bustleton Ave. or to Philmont Ave. The ROW spans from the vicinity of
Philmont Ave. in Montgomery County to the vicinity of the CSX Bridge in Somerton.
The land was acquired in the 1970's when PENNDOT condemned the homes of 35 families. Proposed
Use of ROW as Open Space:
The 'Woodhaven Greenway'
would span between the Montgomery County border at Philmont Ave. & Byberry
Rd. and the vicinity of the CSX Bridge on Byberry Rd. The greenway is represented
by the green shaded area and the neon green line represents the walking/biking
trail. Community
Dynamics: -
ROW west of Bustleton Ave. is located in the middle of the Westwood neighborhood
and is adjacent to St. Andrew's Church and Daycare
- ROW
east of Bustleton Ave. is adjacent to 2 multi-story Senior Citzen's Apartments
and other residential neighborhoods.
- ROW
near Bustleton Ave. is near various businesses
Length: - Approx.
2 miles (It is separated by Bustleton Avenue (Rt. 532)
Width:
Varies - Narrow
band along the western portion of the ROW
- Wider
band along the eastern portion of the ROW
| |  View
of the proposed Woodhaven Greenway in Somerton | Place
your cursor over and around the green shaded area to learn more details. |
Opportunity:
To put this land to good use by preserving it as open space due to the inability
for the project to be completed to the acceptable terms of the stakeholders in
the project area. As stewards of our environment, it is time to remove the threat
of destroying this precious green space and make it a permanent part of our natural
landscape.
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Feasibilty
of Our Alternative |
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| | One
of the primary features of the 'Route 1 Community~Friendly Build Alternative'
is to transform the PENNDOT Right- of-Way, unused for over 25 years, by making
it permanent green space. This
concept of re-dedicating transportation right-of-ways back to the communities
is not a new one. It has already been done for a community in Monmouth County,
New Jersey. We
are pleased to report that PENNDOT may seriously consider this option. In a conversation
with the TCC Spokesperson, the Secretay of Transportation, | | | | |
| Allen
Biehler, said he would be open to the ROW becoming a bird sanctuary. We would
like to exploreadditional uses for the and include biking/walking trails, park
benches, gazebos and bike racks. To further support the desire to preserving Pennsylvania's
greenspace, this past May, Growing Greener II was passed by 3:1 margin on election
day. | | | | |
| | | | Trails
& greenways are often seen narrowly when it comes to their benefits. People
tend to focus on the recreational or environmental aspects of trails & greenways,
failing to see the big picture - the total package of benefits that a trail or
greenway can provide to Communities including public health, economic & transportation
benefits, & even the effect on Community pride & identity. When seen as
a whole, the evidence about the far-reaching benefits of trails & greenways
is compelling, especially given the minimal public investment involved compared
to other undertakings with the same Community goals. Press
release excerpts for right-of-way in NJ preserved as green space:
The
path will run through property once slated for the extension of Route 18. The
project was conceived in the 1960s and property purchased in the early 1970s.
It would have lengthened the highway from its present terminus at Route 138 in
Wall to the Routes 34 and 35 interchange in Brielle. "It's
terrific that DOT has recognized that Monmouth County doesn't need a new highway,
and is turning this land into a bikeway that will serve thousands of people each
year," said Janine Bauer, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation
Campaign. | | | | | | | | | Read
the full story about NJDOT Right-of-Way used for green space in NJ |
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PENNDOT's
Alternative Would Destroy the Natural Environment ...
Green space, wetlands,
& animal habitat | | |
The
new highway expansion will take a merciless toll on the natural environment.
PENNDOT
is allegedley compromising - by building a 'reduced' version of the Reduced-Impact
Build Alternative.
But it is reduced in name only since it will start the
destruction of green space
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| | | Destroyed
Acreage in Build Alternatives | | | | | No-Build
Alternative | Bustleton
Ave
Alternative | Bustleton
Ave
Modified Alt | Byberry
Rd Upgrade Alternative | Woodhaven
Ext
Alternative | | | | Rangeland | 0 | 5.60 | 5.40 | 7.00 | 7.00 | | | | Deciduous
Forestland | 0 | 26.10 | 34.00 | 19.60 | 39.80 | | | | Wetlands | 0 | 1.90 | 2.54 | 0.63 | 4.27 | | | | Total
Impacted Acres | 0 | 33.6 | 41.94 | 27.23 | 51.07 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Benefits
of Our Alternative |
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1)
Increased home and property values. Jogging and bike paths are one of the
top features desired by homebuyers across the U.S. In Philadelphia, the new Schuylkill
River Bike Path has sparked new home construction and raised some property values
by 25% or more.
2) Better quality of life. This green space will offer a place for kids
to learn to skate, bike and blade safely, away from cars. It will provide open
space for seniors as well, where they can walk without worrying about traffic. 3)
Social connections. Open space and greenways give everyone, from kids to
retirees, a place to gather and a way to move around without using a car or making
advance arrangements. 4)
Animal habitat protected. The construction of housing developments, shopping
centers and corporate centers continues to destroy acres of animal habitat. Loss
of natural habitat forces animal migration which may spread lymes disease, increase
the frequency of traffic accidents and roaming through residential neighborhoods
foraging for food. Trails
& greenways are often seen narrowly when it comes to their benefits. People
tend to focus on the recreational or environmental aspects of trails & greenways,
failing to see the big picture - the total package of benefits that a trail or
greenway can provide to Communities including public health, economic & transportation
benefits, & even the effect on Community pride & identity. When seen as
a whole, the evidence about the far-reaching benefits of trails & greenways
is compelling, especially given the minimal public investment involved compared
to other undertakings with the same Community goals. | | Map
of the Green way between Philmont Ave. & Bustleton Ave. | |
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| | Map
by John Boyle, NE Philadelphia Bicyle Coalition | |
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