York County Rail Trail Authority updates Hanover Borough on Trolley Trail progress and award

Gwen Luce, executive director of the York County Rail Trail Authority, told Hanover Borough Council on the evening's agenda that the Authority has continued to expand the Hanover Trolley Trail and is working to complete new trail sections and a trailhead in the Hanover area.

"I'm Gwen Luce. I'm the executive director for the York County Rail Trail Authority," Luce said as she opened the presentation, outlining the Authority's role as a planning organization formed in 1999 and the history of the trolley corridor and earlier trail sections. She said the Authority typically contracts engineering and construction and focuses on getting projects to the ground.

Brandon Wangert, vice chairman of the Authority, described recent construction connecting Mel Avenue across Getch Run Road to Jacobs Mill Road and the environmental work to restore Oro Creek. Wangert said the connector project involved significant environmental restoration and that the work to connect that segment cost in the millions. He summarized near-term needs: a trailhead with roughly 20 to 24 parking spaces and associated site work, which he estimated would cost on the order of $1 million to $1.5 million; he also cited earlier connector work nearing $5,000,000.

The presenters said the Authority recently signed a memorandum of understanding with York County that would allow the county to assume maintenance responsibility for completed trail segments, enabling the Authority to concentrate on planning and building new sections. Luce and Wangert said the Authority will choose alignments (including the Med Ed corridor or dormant Genesee & Wyoming rail corridor) based on bridge viability, viewshed and overall public benefit.

The Authority also announced it received a statewide environmental recognition; Luce said the Hanover Trolley Trail won a governor's award for environmental excellence. The presenters said a study next year will examine how to connect the Hanover Trolley Trail to the Heritage Rail Trail to create a larger, integrated trail network in the county.

In response to council questions about bridge piers and parking, the presenters said the bridge will exit nearer Smith Station Road and that a 12-acre parcel is under consideration for parking. They also confirmed basic amenities, including a porta-potty, will be provided at the trailhead.

The presentation included several cost estimates and planning milestones; council members thanked the presenters for the update and congratulated the Authority on the award. The Authority said next steps include finalizing design for the trailhead, advancing funding, and coordinating the planned connectivity study with county partners.