The Pottstown Mercury reported, in a story by Evan Brandt featured in the October 20 online edition, that the bridge and trail extension project is “coming together in Royersford.”
An October 15 announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to Royersford Borough Council President, Anil Dham, reads “On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, I am writing to congratulate you on a grant award in the amount of $428,000 from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).”
Funding for projects comes from a variety of sources including the state Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, Environmental Stewardship Fund and Snowmobile/ATV Management Restricted Account; and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund and Recreational Trails Program, the correspondence confirmed.
The funds allotted to Royersford Borough are to be used for the development of the Schuylkill River Trail, including rehabilitation of the Royersford Trestle Bridge, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements.
“This funding for the joining of our twin boroughs [Spring City and Royersford] with a rehabilitated trestle bridge is another great step toward waterfront revitalization and bringing the towns together,” state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist., said in an announcement from his office.
“I’m glad to see this project gaining more momentum,” state Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-157th Dist. said in a statement issued by her office.
“Restoring the Royersford Trestle Bridge will make pedestrian and bicycle travel a safe, easy and appealing option between Royersford and the Borough of Spring City, just across the Schuylkill River,” state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-155th Dist., said in a statement issued by her office.
The 1919 bridge is approximately 1,020 feet long and requires extensive repairs. The total project cost was estimated one year ago at $1.4 million.
“Rehabilitation of the Royersford Trestle Bridge, which connects walkers, runners and bikers on the Schuylkill River Trail from Royersford to Spring City, has been ongoing,” added Rick Lewis who leads the committee that spearheaded the Save The Trestle campaign. Lewis is President and CEO of The Lewis Group, headquartered along the riverfront on the Royersford side of the trestle.