Publication Date
Spring 5-13-2026
Description
This report examines community perspectives surrounding the proposed Buffalo Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) Extension, a project that seeks to transform an abandoned railroad bridge spanning the West Branch Susquehanna River into a multimodal pedestrian and bicycle connection between Lewisburg and Montandon, Pennsylvania. In addition to rehabilitating a historic piece of infrastructure, the project aims to improve regional connectivity, expand recreational access, enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety, and support long-term economic and community development across Union and Northumberland Counties. Using a community-based research framework, this study combines power mapping, semi-structured interviews, windshield surveys, and a large-scale public perception survey to better understand how residents, stakeholders, and local organizations perceive the proposed extension. Particular attention is given to differences between Lewisburg and Montandon, including disparities in infrastructure, community identity, transportation access, and perceptions of development. The project also explores how environmental and transportation initiatives are shaped by broader political, cultural, and economic contexts within Central Pennsylvania. The findings suggest strong public support for the extension, particularly regarding recreation, safety, and improved community connectivity, while also revealing concerns related to cost, maintenance, and long-term implementation. The report concludes with recommendations for future engagement, emphasizing transparent communication, targeted outreach in underrepresented communities, and framing the project as multi-benefit infrastructure that supports recreation, transportation, economic development, and regional collaboration.
Keywords
Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, rail-to-trail conversion, community-based research, public perception survey, multimodal transportation, pedestrian infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, Lewisburg, Montandon, community engagement, trail connectivity, sustainable development, regional planning, transportation planning, public outreach, infrastructure revitalization, rural development, environmental planning, active transportation, stakeholder analysis
Rights
©2026 Hannah Tran, Ella Miller, Kenny Truong. All rights reserved.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Course Instructor
Andrew Stuhl