Chester County to Redesign Historic Downingtown Trestle Bridge

Overhaul aims to extend Chester Valley Trail, improve safety after years of neglect

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Chester County is moving forward with a major overhaul of the historic Downingtown Trestle Bridge, with plans to incorporate the century-old span into an extended Chester Valley Trail. The county recently purchased the 130-foot-tall, 1,450-foot-long steel viaduct from PennDOT for $1 to gain control over its future design and safety decisions. Detailed inspections are set to begin soon, followed by a multi-year rehabilitation project that county officials say could take 5-7 years to complete.

Why it matters

The Downingtown Trestle has sat idle for decades since rail traffic was removed in the 1980s, and has become a site of multiple fatal falls over the past 10 years. Incorporating the bridge into the Chester Valley Trail network is seen as a way to preserve this historic structure while improving public safety and expanding the county's trail system.

The details

County officials say the bridge is the 'keystone' of the trail extension project. After purchasing the trestle from PennDOT last year, the county has lined up state and regional funding to cover the design costs, estimated at $2.2 million. Engineers will first assess whether the aging steel structure meets federal safety standards, then develop a plan to upgrade it for use as a multi-use trail. The final design will aim to balance historic preservation with modern safety and accessibility requirements.

  • Chester County purchased the Downingtown Trestle Bridge from PennDOT in 2025.
  • Detailed safety inspections of the bridge are scheduled to begin in the coming months.
  • Design work on the bridge and trail extension is expected to take 5-7 years to complete.

The players

George Martynick

Director of Chester County's facilities and parks department.

Chester County

The local government entity that recently purchased the historic Downingtown Trestle Bridge and is overseeing its redesign and integration into the Chester Valley Trail.

PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which previously owned the Downingtown Trestle Bridge before selling it to Chester County for $1.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The bridge is 'a really key part of it' and 'the keystone of the project.'”

— George Martynick, Director of Chester County's facilities and parks department (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

What’s next

County officials say they plan to release the findings from the upcoming safety inspections and outline the next steps in the design and rehabilitation process as contracts are awarded.

The takeaway

The overhaul of the historic Downingtown Trestle Bridge represents an ambitious effort by Chester County to preserve an iconic local landmark while also expanding its regional trail network and improving public safety. The multi-year project will require careful planning and community engagement to balance the bridge's historic character with modern trail standards.