Penllyn Train Station Trail Connection in Lower Gwynedd named recipient of $250K improvement grant

The Penllyn Train Station Trail Connection in Lower Gwynedd Township has been named a recipient of a $250,000 grant on behalf of the Montco 2040 Implementation Grant Program.

The grant will go towards a proposed trail extension to connect Penllyn Train Station to Pen-Ambler Park and Ambler Yards, a mixed-use development, where there is currently no sidewalk and unsafe conditions for pedestrians.

The trail would begin at the maintenance access to Pen-Ambler Park, where a crosswalk carries trail users to the north side of Pen-Ambler Road, continuing to the intersection of Pen-Ambler Road and Old Penllyn Pike, where crosswalks are provided across both streets and a sidewalk extension connects the trail to the train station. 

The above project is one of 13 in Montgomery County will receive grants from the program, which account for just under $2,500,000 across the 13 municipalities. The County received 23 applications totaling just over $4 million in requests from 22 municipalities during the 2024 cycle.

“In this ninth year of grant funding, the County continues to receive innovative applications aimed at implementing the County’s comprehensive plan, Montco 2040: A Shared Vision,” said Jamila H. Winder, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “These grant awards will assist municipalities in making targeted physical improvements that achieve real progress toward the goals of the plan and the plan’s themes of Connected Communities, Sustainable Places, and Vibrant Economy.” 

Projects were evaluated in terms of impact, equity, county and local planning consistency, project readiness, and local project funding by a committee made up of planning commission board members and interdepartmental county staff. Projects were also given heightened consideration when addressing one of three focus categories for 2024: Walk Montco and Bike Montco – Trails, Paths, Sidewalk Connections and Bike Facilities; Downtown and Community Destination Support; or Adaptation and Resiliency.

“The latest $2.5 million in Montco 2040 grants shows our commitment to sustainable, livable, vibrant communities in every corner of Montgomery County,” said Neil Makhija, Montgomery County Commissioner. “From investments in solar installations to parks and trails to infrastructure for ADA accessibility and climate resiliency, we think government’s job is to plan for the future for all of our residents. I can’t wait to see these projects completed as quickly as possible in collaboration with our municipalities.”

“I’m confident the grants awarded this year are aligned with our goals to maintain Montgomery County’s natural beauty and community bonds,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “These projects will ensure municipalities across the County are more accessible to their residents and more conducive to local business and tourism.”