Over $13 million in funding has been awarded for two significant Schuylkill River Trail expansion projects, reports John McDevitt for KYW NewsRadio.
The projects will improve accessibility and safety for bikers, runners, and walkers.
The first project, the Passyunk Connection in Southwest Philadelphia, will extend the trail by 3,400 feet to connect to Passyunk Avenue. This addition transforms the trail from a recreational path to a vital commuter route.
“…and once you get to Passyunk Avenue, you can either go east over the Passyunk Avenue Bridge to South Philly or you can go west over Essington Avenue and connect with the many neighborhoods in Southwest Philadelphia,” said president of the Schuylkill River Development Corporation Joseph Syrnick.
The second project, led by the Philadelphia Streets Department, will add a 2,000-foot off-road, multi-use trail and pedestrian bridge along the Wissahickon Gateway Trail in Manayunk. This will replace the current narrow, hazardous route along Main Street and Ridge Avenue, which has a crash rate four times higher than the city’s average.
Both projects aim to enhance safety and connectivity and are expected to be completed within two years.
Read more about the new Schuylkill River Trail expansion projects in KYW NewsRadio.
