A project to connect the Cynwyd Heritage Trail to the Pencoyd Landing area and the bridge to Manayunk is one step closer to becoming reality after a committee recently recommended approval to award the Cynwyd Spur Trail Extension contract, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for the Main Line Times & Suburban.

According to Eric Traub, finance director for Lower Merion, the township received nine bids for the project, with the lowest being around $106,000, or five percent, below the budget.

“This is work to construct the viable tunnel for pedestrian, bike, recreational use,” said Traub.

Driscoll Construction Company submitted the winning $2.04 million bid. The township has an additional $1 million in ARPA funds, as well as another $200,000 in recreation funds for the extension.

The project has been described as a bridge within a bridge.

“It’s a big culvert pipe that people can walk through,” said Joseph Mastronardo, township engineer. “It has a concrete foundation, and it’ll carry the load of the bridge and protect the traveling public from the bridge above.”

Once in full use, trail users will have a direct link to the trail along the river.

Read more about the Cynwyd Heritage Trail and how it can positively impact the community in the Main Line Times & Suburban.

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