York-Hanover Trolley Line

Current Status

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Spring Grove-Jackson Township link of the Hanover Trolley Trail was held on May 31, 2007 at 2 PM at the Jackson Township Sewer Authority property off Hershey Road in Jackson Township.

This phase will consist of a parking lot/trailhead at the Jackson Township Sewer Authority plant, 1.5-miles of trail, and a small parking area near Hosiery Alley in Spring Grove Borough.

The trail will consist of a 10-foot wide crushed stone surface. In addition, where the width of the right-of-way permits, an 8-foot wide dirt/grass pathway for horse riders will parallel the trail.

Engineering and design of this phase is nearing completion as several right-of-way issues are being resolved.

Engineering documents will undergo a 30-day review process early in 2008. This will be followed by a competitive bidding process to select a contractor for construction of this phase.

HISTORY:

In July of 2003, the Feasibility Study of the York Hanover Trolley Line was completed by the York engineering firm of C. S. Davidson, Inc. Partial funding for the study was provided by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Parks and Recreation.

The study includes an analysis of the field investigations of the historic trolley route, a comprehensive public input process, an inventory and assessment of the corridor's many features, a summary of legal constraints, and a conceptual plan that proposes development of two sections of the corridor.

Local and state grants were awarded in 2004 and 2005 that allow for the development of a section of the Trolley Trail in Jackson Township and Spring Grove Borough. Negotiations with landowners and preliminary design of this section will continue into 2006. In addition, Hanover Borough and Penn Township are moving forward with funding assistance from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to develop a 1.5 mile section of the historic trolley line as well as a trail connector to the newly renovated Hanover Library. Construction of this section is slated to occur later in 2006.

Project Location

York County, PA between West York Borough and Hanover Borough. Proposed trail also passes through West Manchester Township, Spring Grove Borough, Jackson Township, Heidelberg Township, Penn Township.

Participating Agencies

York County Rail Trail Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, York County Planning Commission, York County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Funding Sources

York County Rail Trail Authority, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, York County Community Foundation.

Vision

The York Hanover Trolley Line was operated as a passenger trolley line from 1908 until 1939. Following the decline of trolley service, the corridor was purchased by the Metropolitan Edison Company to use as a right of way for electricity transmission lines.

In 1977, York County adopted a Metropolitan Bike Route Plan that identified corridors throughout the county that offered the potential for development of multi-use recreational trails. This corridor was one of several opportunities for trail development. In that same year, a license agreement was executed between Metropolitan Edison Company and the County of York for the purpose of establishing a non-motorized recreational trail from Hokes Mill Road in West Manchester Township to Wilson Avenue in Penn Township.

The Future

The Feasibility Study of the York Hanover Trolley Line sites an opportunity to develop two sections of the historic route. One section extends 4.5 miles from Bair Station to Menges Mills, and another extends 1.5 miles from the Heidelberg/Penn Township boundary to Moul Recreational Field in Hanover Borough. The study also outlines a management plan that encourages participation from the municipalities, the County of York, and a variety of volunteer groups in the future operations of the Trolley Trail.

Based on these recommendations, the York County Rail Trail Authority has begun discussions with the municipalities within the sections currently being proposed for development. These include Jackson Township, Spring Grove Borough, Penn Township, and the Borough of Hanover. These discussions focus on identifying funding opportunities, refining trail alignment, and additional reviews of constraints and trail connections.

Through these partnership efforts, the York County Rail Trail Authority and the participating municipalities will establish priorities and time frames for engineering, design, and construction of selected sections of the historic trolley route. Communications with other municipalities along the route will also be maintained and encouraged.