Construction is progressing rapidly at a section of the Schuylkill River Trail expansion in Forgotten Bottom, South Philadelphia. The project, called the Schuylkill Crossing, will bring a new bridge over the Schuylkill River to connect the northern and existing portion of the trail to the planned southern phase in West Philadelphia with crossing to the Grays Ferry Crescent Trail. The new bridge will be a renovation of a previously existing railroad round-a-bout bridge. While the center portion of the structure was dismantled in 2018, the edges of the bridge on the eastern and western banks remain and will provide the platform for the new trail.
View of the future bridge. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
Multiple barges are at the site of the future crossing, with two cranes sitting atop them. Since the dismantling of the bridge back in 2018, a second crane has arrived on the scene, and progress can e observed on the center podium, where the former roundabout was located. New, red steel has been erected here in preparation to help support the future bridge.
View of the future bridge. Credit: Colin LeStourgeon.
The bridge is still in the beginning of the construction phase, and will likely still take many more months to years before a completion is reached and it is opened to the public. However, when this does happen, it will open up a major pedestrian and biking link between West and South Philadelphia. The nearby Grays Ferry Bridge is an unsafe biker and pedestrian crossing. Nearby 34th Street bridge offers better conditions, although it still leaves much to be desired in terms of biking access. Because of the lack of accessible bridges, many residents are stuck crossing the river as far north as the South Street Bridge or end up driving across the river, adding traffic to the already crowded streets.
Construction may be completed by 2022 or by a later date.
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The Grays Ferry Crescent Trail is only a short section, but it is excellent. It is just sitting there, waiting to connect with the main Schuylkill River Trail at Christian Street. I can’t wait for this bridge and then the boardwalk bridge (below Christian) to be completed. The trail will be really nice all the way through Bartram Garden. Admittedly, I have trouble visualizing what it will be like beyond that point. I imagine it will be more of a pure bike trail and not as much walkers and runners.
The bridge above the new bridge looks like it was built with cor ten steel which gives its brownish look. This material cane from US Steel.
What is the route the bridge runs on?