|
Continuing this fall and extending over the next several years, a number of construction projects will commence and continue in the Park. These projects have been planned and developed over the last several years, have completed Park and public review, and are now funded. This update provides an overview of the projects as well as current information on the status of each.
1. Rehabilitation of Park Routes and Parking Lots
This project includes replacing a former connector road for park-sponsored tour buses between Inner Line Drive and Outer Line Drive; overlaying and/or rehabilitating Inner Line Drive and Redoubt 4 Road, including related pull offs, parking lots, and drainage rehabilitation and improvements; removing Conway’s (Dogwood) parking lot, Huntington’s Overlook parking lot, and Washington’s upper parking lot and restoring the landscape of those areas; removing Tower Road and its parking lot and restoring the landscape of this area; and reconfiguring Artillery Park parking lot, Redoubt 3 parking lot, and the Von Steuben parking lot for more efficient utilization of available parking.
UPDATE (September 2008)
Construction continues to rehabilitate the historic stone guttering along Inner Line Drive. The Artillery Park and Von Steuben parking lots are undergoing reconstruction as well. Please refer to the Park's Road Closure website for information on closures of associated roads and parking areas.
2. Rehabilitate Support Facilities at Washington’s Headquarters for Visitor Use
This project includes changes to existing parking lots and circulation; enhancement of the cultural landscape rehabilitation of the historic Valley Forge Train Station as a visitor orientation space; rehabilitation or addition of rest rooms; and addition of interpretive elements on the history of the encampment and the village.
UPDATE (September 2008)
Work continues on the renovation of the interior of the Valley Forge Train Station. The landscape surrounding the Train Station and new upper parking lot area is being reconstructed to provide enhanced visitor experience and provide adequate traffic control. Construction of a new restroom facility has commenced as well.
Demolition of the lower parking lot will begin in September. Limited parking will be available until October 26 in this lot, and the entire parking area will be closed on October 27.
Areas around the Train Station and access road have been closed to all traffic for visitor safety. These areas are specified using signage and orange construction fencing. The section of Chapel Trail that extends to the Washington's Headquarters Area will be closed during construction.
3. Rehabilitation and New Connection for Multi-use Trail
This fall, the Park will be rehabilitating a 6,500 lineal foot section of the Joseph Plumb Martin Multi-use Trail (JPM Trail) that extends from the lower Visitor Center parking lot to Gulph Road (along Outer Line Drive). Work will include removing the worn wearing course of asphalt, re-surfacing the trail tread, leveling depressions, and improving drainage to prevent water pooling and ice concentrations. The trail will remain at its original 8-foot width to prevent further soil disturbance and to allow efficient maintenance for all seasons.
In addition to this resurfacing, a new trail segment will be constructed to connect the terminus end of the JPM Trail at the Washington's Headquarters Complex area with the network of trails on Mt. Joy and Mt. Misery (including the Horseshoe and Valley Creek Trails). This segment will match the existing asphalt and width of the JPM Trail, and a new pedestrian cross-walk mechanism will be installed at the intersection of Rt. 23 and Rt. 252. This new segment is funded by a $50,000 contribution from The Friends of Valley Forge with matching funds from Congress through the Centennial Challenge Initiative.
4. Roof Replacement on Mordecai Moore House
The Mordecai Moore House is not only an historic structure and representative of the Encampment period; it is also the current location of the Park's Law Enforcement Ranger Station. Along with the wood shingle roof replacement, dormers and crown molding will be repainted and a built-in gutter system will be constructed to better represent the building's original architecture.
5. Roof Replacement on Knox Tindle House
The cedar wood shingle roof on this historic structure will be replaced in-kind this fall. In addition to this replacement, several dormers will be repaired, and fascia, soffits, and cornice trim will be repaired and replaced to preserve the original architecture of the building.
6. Park-wide Utility Survey
All utility lines and services will be identified and marked digitally using GPS. The digital information will be made available to contractors working in the park. The Zones to be addressed are Administration Complex, Port Kennedy, and Washington’s Headquarters. Work will begin in April 2008 and finish by the end of December 2008.
UPDATE (September 2008)
Field survey work has been completed in two of the park zones. The third zone (Washington's Headquarters area) is currently underway. Remote sensing surveys and further coordination with the Park's GIS system will take place in November.
7. Replacement of the Betzwood Bridge
The Betzwood Bridge, a former Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) bridge that carried Trooper Road across the Schuylkill River, was reduced to carrying only south-bound traffic several years before it was demolished for safety reasons in 1995. PennDOT developed plans for replacing the bridge that ultimately were turned down by the Department of the Interior due to concern over impacts to the park. Since 2001, NPS, PennDOT, FHWA and a coalition of state and local agencies and governments have worked together to assess and find solutions to traffic congestion in and around the park.
8. Widening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Enlargement of Facilities at Rest Stop
The turnpike will be completely reconstructed and widened from four to six lanes from the Valley Forge interchange westward approximately six miles. The work will take place on turnpike commission property, but will have impacts to the park and neighboring properties. VAFO is working with the turnpike commission and other stakeholders on impacts including excessive storm water, loss of the tree screen between the turnpike and the park, and noise. This project is behind schedule. Dates below are tentative.
For more information on this project, please click here.
The Valley Forge rest stop will be completely demolished, with a larger restaurant and fueling station and reconfigured auto and truck parking. The park is working with Tredyffrin Township to ensure that current uncontrolled storm water runoff from the rest stop is completely infiltrated, and that current views of the rest stop from within the park are completely screened.
| 
