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Continuing this summer and extending over the next several years, a number of construction projects will commence 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.
For more information on this project, please click here.
You may also contact Dennis McGinnis at 610-783-0252 with any questions or concerns.
UPDATE (April 2008)
Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-April. Please refer to the Park's website for updates on road and parking lot closures.
2. 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. Given the progress made in addressing congestion as well as the mitigations now associated with the bridge, the bridge project now will go forward with an anticipated construction start in the fall of 2008.
For more information on this project, please click here.
You may also contact Dennis McGinnis at 610-783-0252 or Deirdre Gibson at 610-783-1047 with any questions or comments.
3. Aqua Pennsylvania Water Main Extension
A water main runs from the southern boundary of the park near Gulph Road northward to Route 23 near the Maurice Stephens House, and then east to 422, where it exits the park. Approximately five years ago, the portion of the line between the southern boundary and County Line Road was enlarged. AquaPA’s proposed excavation of the Grand Parade and brigade areas along Route 23 to accommodate enlargement of the remaining portion of the main would have posed severe adverse effects to archeological resources, however. Valley Forge NHP worked with AquaPA to look at alternate locations. An alignment under County Line Road was chosen. A Categorical Exclusion was completed in August 2006. Work will commence in the spring of 2008. County Line Road will be closed to all traffic between the maintenance driveway and Route 23 for a period of one to two months to accommodate construction.
UPDATE (July 2008)
AquaPA has installed the new 18 inch water main along County Line Road within the Park. They will begin repaving disturbed areas in early July.
4. 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.
6. 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.
For more information on this project, please click here.
You may also contact Dennis McGinnis at 610-783-0252 with any questions or concerns.
UPDATE (July 2008)
Work continues on the renovation of the interior of the Train Station. 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.
8. Welcome Center, Administration Building, and Auditorium Roof and HVAC Replacement
Construction for this project will begin in August of 2007 and will continue through spring 2008. This project will include the removal of the existing roof membrane, repair of the roof support system, and the installation of a new roof. The HVAC system will have its chiller units, air handlers, and air distribution controls replaced in each building. A new solar screening system (“building wrap”) will be installed on the exterior walls of the Welcome Center and repairs will be made to the building entrance walkway.
UPDATE (July 2008)
Re-roofing of the Administration and Auditorium buildings is complete, as is the installation of the new HVAC systems. The exterior surfaces of both buildings have been re-painted.
The new chiller has been installed at the Welcome Center. Beginning in early July, the new building wrap will be installed on all glazed facades of the Welcome Center and Education Center.
9. Knox’s Quarters Stabilization
Prior to 2002, Knox’s Quarters was used for park housing. Upon the departure of the last occupant, several deficiencies were discovered within the interior of the house. The 18th century core of Knox’s Quarters was structurally affected by removal of masonry bearing walls, enlargement of a stair, and insertion of plumbing. All three floor levels were affected. This project will ensure that the unstable structural condition of the building will be entirely corrected. A new roof will be installed as well to protect the interior improvements.
Beginning in late August 2007 and concluding in spring 2008, the structural deficiencies will be corrected in a two phase approach. This work has been made possible by a National Park Service funding and by a grant to the National Trust’s Save America’s Treasures program from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
UPDATE (July 2008)
Interior stabilization of this structure is complete along with the replacement of the roof.
10. Repair Mt. Joy Trail “Section D”
Construction will begin in early September 2007 on this ½-mile section of trail. The work consists of removing old and damaged water control elements, rebuilding the trail foundation in areas of erosion, and repairing or replacing the trail surfaces and water control features. The trail work is expected to be completed by April 2008.
UPDATE (July 2008)
Rehabilitation of this section of trail is complete.
11. Repair Chapel Trail
Construction will begin in early September 2007 on approximately 2.25 miles of trail. The work consists of removing old and damaged water control elements, rebuilding the trail foundation in areas of erosion, and repairing or replacing the trail surfaces and water control features. The trail work is expected to be completed by April 2008.
UPDATE (July 2008)
Rehabilitation of this section of trail is complete.
13. 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 (July 2008)
Field survey work has been completed in two of the park zones. The third zone is currently underway.
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