Schuylkill River Trail - Cristian to Crescent Update

The Christian to Crescent trail segment marks the final link needed to establish a completely off-the-road pathway connecting Center City to the Grays Ferry Crescent, catering to both pedestrians and cyclists alike. This particular segment posed unique challenges in its design and construction due to the area's narrowing riverbank section. Overcoming these obstacles required innovative solutions, leading to the conceptualization of a cable-supported bridge along the eastern riverbank, as depicted in the rendering below.

Rendering of the cable supported bridge portion of the Trail.

The blueprint for this trail segment was meticulously crafted by the dedicated team at the Philadelphia office of AECOM, working diligently under contract from SRDC. As of now, construction is underway for this ambitious $45 million venture. Spearheaded by PKF Mark III Inc., hailing from Newtown, Pennsylvania, this initiative operates under the umbrella of the City of Philadelphia Streets Department. PennDOT has taken up the responsibility of overseeing the project at the City's behest, ensuring that everything aligns with the envisioned plan. Currently, the project is making commendable strides, firmly on course to reach its completion milestone by mid-2025.

The fruition of this trail segment signifies a monumental achievement in SRDC's vision: a fully off-road, multi-purpose trail tracing the scenic route along the Schuylkill, connecting two revered National Historic Landmarks - the Fairmount Water Works and Bartram’s Garden. These historical gems will soon be seamlessly intertwined, thanks to the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of all those involved.

Overview of the construction area for Christian to Crescent segment.