Hay Creek Bicycle/Walking Trail

Arora and Associates was retained by the County of Berks, Pennsylvania to provide planning, design and engineering services for the Hay Creek Rail-Trail along approximately 9.72 miles of abandoned railroad bed in Robeson, Union and Caernarvon Townships, Berks County.  The trail will be located on the Coatesville Secondary Track: Sub. No. 1055N, from MP 25.25 to MP 61.97, which roughly parallels the portion of S.R. 82, or “Hay Creek Road,” from Birdsboro to the Berks/Chester County Line.  The Hay Creek Trail is listed in the 1994 Berks County Open Space and Recreation Plan as a site of highest priority.  The trail will connect the Schuylkill River Greenway’s Thun Trail with the Horse-Shoe Trail and French Creek State Park.  The trail is a critical link to an inter-county trail system. 

Arora conducted investigative environmental studies, prepared preliminary and final right-of-way plans, and assisted the County with the acquisition of the abandoned rail line.  Our team conducted bridge evaluations on the four historic rail structures with the intent of restoring the trail's rail theme.

The corridor offers a unique opportunity for the development of a premier national recreational trail.  The historic setting offers incomparable opportunities for environmental education programs that will develop a better understanding of both the natural and cultural heritage of the area.  The Hay Creek Trail itself provides a linkage between the Schuylkill River Greenway’s Thun Trail with the Horse-Shoe Trail and French Creek State Park.

Acquisition efforts were performed throughout the project schedule, including, but not limited to, deed/title research, plan coordination, appraisals, and preparation of legal documents.   Performing these tasks prior to preparing the final Right-of-Way Plan allowed Berks County to begin acquisition at the earliest possible point.