New Norristown Trail Junction Center Breaks Ground

NORRISTOWN, PA — Officials broke ground on the new Trail Junction Center along the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown this week, marking an important step forward in the long anticipated project.

The Center will sit in the historic former Norristown Freight Station and serve as the meeting point for two of the region's largest trails, where the Chester Valley Trail now intersects with the Schuykill River Trail.

The connection effectively links Exton, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and Pottstown in one network.

“This won't just be a stop on the trail," Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said. "This will be a destination where you can get coffee, have lunch, see artwork, experience arts and entertainment, and even get your bike tuned up. In many ways, the Trail Junction Center can be a gateway to Norristown."

The $4.7 million project will include restrooms, water stations, seating areas, bike facilities, room for retail, arts and crafts showcases, and live performances.

Commissioner Jamila Winder called it a step toward a "thriving town center," while Commissioner Tom DiBello said it could create a "snowball effect" that could draw in new businesses and further redevelopment.

The Trail Junction Center has been discussed for years. Back in 2017, the project received a $100,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to help bring the project to life. At the time, the extension of the Chester Valley Trail was just a concept.

The county purchased the freight station property way back in 2007.

The Center is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.