Consultant outlines townshipwide trails and bike‑ped connectivity study; preliminary fee about $44,500

Bob Thomas of Thomas and Campbell introduced a townshipwide trails and active‑transportation assessment that will inventory roads, corridors, parks and potential easements and produce a phased implementation plan with an opinion of first‑phase costs and funding opportunities.

Thomas told the Planning Commission the work is intended as a connectivity assessment—not a detailed design manual—and that the firm will examine the entire street and highway network, points of interest (schools, train stations, businesses) and potential off‑road links. He said the initial project fee is about $44,500, with roughly $10–12,000 for initial data gathering and about $30,000 for the main assessment.

The team will meet the Ped‑Bike Group on April 23, conduct stakeholder interviews and host public outreach. Thomas said the product will include a letter report, an opinion of cost for a first phase of construction, and identification of funding opportunities; the work will also consider how routes might connect with adjacent municipalities such as Radnor Township.

Commissioners asked about use of existing documents, outreach methods and timing. Thomas said staff (Colleen) has helped assemble prior studies and the team will build on available materials to avoid redundancies. He said the study will propose a phased approach so short investments can create meaningful connections rather than isolated sidewalks to nowhere.

No action was taken; the presentation served to introduce scope and gather preliminary feedback from the commission.