Project Background

The Town of New Castle is advancing the ChapLine Trailway, a proposed 1.7-mile multi-use path that will link Chappaqua Crossing, Horace Greeley High School, and Downtown Chappaqua. The trail runs entirely on Town-owned property, following portions of the existing sewer corridor and generally paralleling the Metro-North Harlem Line and Saw Mill River Parkway. It will create a safe, off-road route that opens access to long-unreachable areas of Town-owned open space for walking, biking, and recreation.

The concept for the ChapLine originated in 2014, when local residents proposed creating a continuous path between key community destinations. A feasibility study completed in 2021 evaluated potential alignments, environmental constraints, and construction costs, and recommended a phased approach to implementation.

The Town has since secured multiple state funding awards to advance the project. In 2021, New Castle received a $500,000 grant through the New York State Climate Smart Communities Program to support trail design and planning efforts. In early 2025, the Town was awarded $5 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding through the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to initiate construction of the first phase of the trail.

These investments represent significant progress toward realizing the community’s long-standing goal of improving local connectivity, expanding non-motorized travel options, and enhancing recreational opportunities in Chappaqua.

To view the full 2021 Feasibility Study, please visit the Town of New Castle Website: ChapLine Multi-Use Pedestrian Trail Way | New Castle, NY

A summary of this Feasibility Study and the appendix are located in the Documents section of this page.

Document Library

Acronym Definitions

NYSDOT / DOT: Department of Transportation

DAD: Design Approval Document

FHWA: Federal Highway Association

PIM: Public Information Meeting

PS&E: Plans, Specifications, & Estimates

Project Schedule

Schedule Note: The project schedule shown is preliminary and subject to change based on agency review periods, permitting, funding requirements, weather, and other factors. The schedule will be updated on this website as revisions occur.

Timeline item 1 - complete

Project Start

September 2025
Finalize project agreement and hold kick-off meeting with the project team to confirm scope, schedule, and next steps.
Timeline item 2 - complete

Site Inventory & Analysis

October 2025 - January 2026
Conduct site visit and data collection to document existing conditions, environmental features, opportunities, and constraints within the project area.
Timeline item 3 - active

Review Alternatives / Concept Refinement

January - March 2026
Develop and evaluate preliminary design alternatives; refine concepts based on DOT input and technical findings.
Timeline item 4 - incomplete

Finalize Preferred Alignment

March / April 2026
Select the preferred alignment and design approach through coordination with NYSDOT, FHWA, and the Town.
Timeline item 5 - incomplete

Draft Design Report / Draft DAD Submission

Spring 2026
Prepare and submit the Draft Design Approval Document (DAD) and supporting materials for preliminary review.
Timeline item 6 - incomplete

NYSDOT / FHWA Review of Draft DAD

Spring / Summer 2026
Agencies review and comment on the Draft Design Approval Document (DAD) and supporting design materials.
Timeline item 7 - incomplete

Public Information Meeting (PIM)

Spring / Summer 2026
Present project progress and the preferred alignment to the public.
Timeline item 8 - incomplete

Final Design & Final DAD Report Submission

Fall 2026
Incorporate review comments; submit Final DAD and detailed design materials.
Timeline item 9 - incomplete

Final Design Approval (NYSDOT / FHWA)

Winter 2027
Obtain official design approval from NYSDOT and FHWA, authorizing advancement to the PS&E phase.
Timeline item 10 - incomplete

Final PS&E Submission to NYSDOT

Spring 2027
Submit final PS&E package for agency review.
Timeline item 11 - incomplete

NYSDOT PS&E Review

Spring / Summer 2027
NYSDOT conducts a detailed review of PS&E documents and provides final comments for resolution.
Timeline item 12 - incomplete

NYSDOT Authorization to Advertise for Bid

Fall 2027
Receive authorization from NYSDOT to advertise the project for construction bidding.
Timeline item 13 - incomplete

Bid Opening / Bid Award

Fall 2027
Receive contractor bids, complete evaluation, and award the construction contract.
Timeline item 14 - incomplete

Construction Start

Fall 2027 / Winter 2028
Begin on-site construction activities following contract execution and pre-construction coordination.
Timeline item 15 - incomplete

Construction Completion

2028 - TBD
Finalize construction activities, inspections, and project closeout pending final schedule and conditions.