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Concord Township approves lease with SEPTA to build portion of Octoraro multi-use trail
Summary
Concord Township council approved Resolution 22 of 2025 to lease a strip of SEPTA’s out-of-service Octoraro branch for a multi-use trail segment and updated the public on related right-of-way and acquisition work, including progress with SEPTA and PennDOT.
Concord Township Council on April 1 approved a lease with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to build a portion of the planned Octoraro multi-use trail on SEPTA’s out-of-service Octoraro branch.
The council passed Resolution 22 of 2025 approving terms of a lease agreement that will allow the township to place a portion of the trail on SEPTA property. Council President opened the motion; the council approved it by voice vote (recorded as "Aye").
The lease follows several months of right-of-way negotiations. Township Engineer Nate said the township has received PennDOT approval for right-of-way work and that the project’s critical path included agreements with SEPTA. "We've finally come to an agreement with SEPTA for use of their right of way," Nate said, adding the team has completed soil infiltration testing and will next complete utility clearance with PennDOT.
Township Manager Amanda said negotiations and permitting remain ongoing and that the project team is coordinating construction timing with other local projects. The council’s discussion and staff reports referenced coordination with PennDOT for accessibility and traffic-control reviews; a PennDOT let date of September was mentioned for a related Smithbridge Road project.
Solicitor Hugh Donahue told the council that separate, concurrent land-acquisition discussions are underway for other road projects and that the township has largely secured support from affected property owners but may need to consider eminent domain if negotiations fail. "It may be that the township will have to exercise its powers under eminent domain if we cannot reach an agreement in the very near future," Donahue said.
Why it matters: the Octoraro trail is part of a larger effort to expand walking and bike connections in the township. The lease with SEPTA enables a segment of that trail to proceed on a former rail corridor, but staff cautioned that easements, utility clearances and construction scheduling remain to be completed.
The council did not set a construction start date for the trail; staff said work sequencing depends on finalizing the SEPTA lease, PennDOT approvals and coordination with adjacent projects.
