Two bridges over the Wissahickon Creek in Northwest Philadelphia will be rebuilt to help them withstand the pressures of traffic and climate-driven increased flooding thanks to federal grant money, writes Sophia Schmidt for WHYY.

The grant is being awarded through a nationwide program aimed at fortifying roads and bridges against the impacts of human-caused climate change.

“Whether it’s the fury of floods, or now unsustainable precipitation patterns, drought parching the west, wildfires — we see the risks … across the country,” said National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “The good news is that we know how to … build the infrastructure we need to keep people safe.”

In the past two years, the PROTECT grant program has awarded more than $829 million to various projects nationwide.

Pennsylvania is receiving two grants, one of which allocates over $14 million to the city of Philadelphia for work on the Valley Green Road Bridge in Wissahickon Valley Park and the Bells Mill Bridge near Morris Arboretum.

Both bridges were built in the 1800s and are in “poor condition,” according to city officials.

The funds will be used to replace the scrap rock and rubble with concrete on the inside of the two bridges and shore up abutments.

Read more about the planned renovations coming to two Philadelphia bridges in WHYY.

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