City of Philadelphia Awarded $13.7 Million Federal Active Transportation Grant for Extensions to Schuylkill River Trail

U.S. DOT funding will cover two key projects to close critical gap in Manayunk and increase equitable mobility options in Southwest

PHILADELPHIA - The City of Philadelphia Department of Streetsand Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC)have been awarded $13.7 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under its Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) to fund two key extensions that will connect the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) from Manayunk to Passyunk Avenue.

"This federal grant - made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law- will allow us to continue the positive growth of our city's transportation network for all modes of travel," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "Many Philadelphians commute to work, medical appointments, and other daily functions as a cyclist or pedestrian. These projects will provide much needed connections with a focus on traffic safety in Southwest and Northwest Philadelphia. This is what we mean when we say we are building a Safer, Cleaner, and Greener Philadelphia with Economic Opportunity for All."

The federal funding will close a critical gap in the SRT by constructing the Wissahickon Gateway Trailin Manayunk; and remove barriers to safe, affordable, and equitable mobility options along the SRT by building the Passyunk Connectionadjacent to historically disadvantaged communities in the Southwest Philadelphia. These projects will complete a 39-mile off-road, riverside, multi-use trail between Pottstown in Montgomery County and Southwest Philadelphia, save one small 0.65-mile on-road connection.

"We are excited to continue building out and filling in gaps along the Schuylkill River Trail, which has become a centerpiece of our city's public spaces and the spine of our active transportation network," said Kristin Del Rossi, Commissioner, Department of Streets. "This grant award is welcomed at a moment where we are nearing completion of the Christian to Crescenttrail segment, which will connect the current Schuylkill River Trail Christian Street terminus to the Grays Ferry Crescent Trail and Park. The bridge is approximately 1,250' feet from abutment to abutment, but 650' feet of this bridge segment will include the main cable-stay portion.

"On behalf of the City, I would like to thank all of our federal elected officials in securing this funding as well as our local project partners as we remain committed to delivering a safer, cleaner, and greener transportation network for all modes of travel."

The Wissahickon Gateway Trail (WGT)will provide a 2,000-foot, off-road, multi-use trail and bicycle-pedestrian bridge serving users who are currently forced to use a narrow shoulder and sidewalk that runs along the City's Vision Zero High Injury Network (HIN)corridor of Main Street and Ridge Avenue in Northwest Philadelphia. This area has a crash rate four times higher than the city's average crash rate.

The current trail gap is adjacent to an interstate highway on-ramp as well as the Wissahickon Transportation Center - a major bus depot that is under redevelopment and provides service to 10 bus routes and serves over 7,000 riders every weekday. In addition to increased mobility, the WGT will have a positive impact on economic development as the project is located in one of the most vital commercial centers in Northwest Philadelphia, Main Street Manayunk.

The Passyunk Connectionwill extend the SRT approximately 4,500 feet south along the Schuylkill riverbank from the trail segment's current dead end - on the Bartram's to 61st segment - to the bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on Passyunk Avenue, which is a major thoroughfare connecting multiple commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods across South and Southwest Philadelphia.

There are also two forthcoming job centers planned and under construction on either side of the Passyunk Connection project area - the Lower Schuylkill Biotech Campusto the northwest (planned) and the Bellwether Districtto the east (under construction). The combination of these two developments is estimated to bring 23,000 jobs to this part of the city. The Passyunk Connection will directly connect the surrounding community members and broader region to the economic opportunities provided through these new developments.

"This is very exciting news and will allow the trail to be extended into more neighborhoods in South and Southwest Philadelphia," said Joseph Syrnick, President and Chief Executive Officer, Schuylkill River Development Corportation. "We are pleased to be partnering with the City on two really important and impactful Schuylkill River Trail projects. We appreciate the confidence that USDOT has placed in the City's team by awarding this grant."

The SRT is an integral part of The Circuit Trails- the Greater Philadelphia Region's active transportation network of over 400 miles with a goal of over 800 miles by 2050. When completed, the SRT will be a 120-mile riverfront trail and greenway connecting five Pennsylvania counties from Schuylkill Haven in Schuylkill County to the confluence of the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers in Philadelphia.

"This transformative federal grant will improve the lives of thousands of Philadelphians by extending the Circuit Trails, particularly in historically underserved communities," said Patrick Starr, Chair, The Circuit Trails. "By closing critical gaps like the Wissahickon Gateway Trail and Passyunk Connection, we're creating safe, accessible pathways that connect people to jobs, housing, green spaces, and transit, as well as solving a long-standing disconnect in our region's important commuter and recreational trail, the Schuylkill River Trail. This milestone is a powerful step forward for a safer, more connected and vibrant Philadelphia region."

The SRT has the dual purpose of serving bicyclists and pedestrians who commute on the trail for daily transportation purposes and those who use the trail for recreation and healthy living activities. The 16.8 mile stretch of the SRT within Philadelphia has several gaps and incomplete sections that leave a considerable number of community members disconnected from this paramount public amenity and its myriad benefits.

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