Buffalo Valley Rail Trail

Larson Design Group (LDG) performed preliminary engineering and final design for the construction of a nine-mile Rails to Trails facility from Lewisburg to Mifflinburg, located in the scenic farm country of Union County, Pennsylvania, within a very tight time frame required by funding availability.

The ten-foot wide trail is comprised of a bituminous paved surface at each end where the setting is more urban, and an aggregate surface throughout the remainder of the trail where the setting is more rural.

The project included bridge rehabilitation; utility design for water, sewer and electrical services to comfort facilities; the recording of utility easements; and securing permits from the environmental agencies.

Some of the issues that needed to be addressed in design were improving the drainage, safe crossings at crossroads with the use of bollards and/or a serpentine gate system, fenced barriers, and vegetative screenings to address property owner concerns.

Mile marker posts were designed into the trail, and their GPS coordinates were established and given to the 911 emergency responders to identify the best means of access to the trail in case of a medical emergency.

An access area is located at each end of the project, both of which includes paved parking, a comfort facility, and trail head signage with information boards. There are interpretive signs at points of interest and park benches throughout the project corridor.

Coordination was required with BVRT, PennDOT, Union County Planning Commission, eleven utility companies, Mifflinburg and Lewisburg Boroughs, West Buffalo, Buffalo, and East Buffalo Townships, as well as the following agencies: the PUC, DCNR, DEP, and Union County Conservation District./p>