PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Parks and Recreation celebrated the reopening of four Wissahickon Valley Trail bridges Friday morning.
The bridges connect Lincoln and Forbidden drives along the Wissahickon Valley Trail, linking Forbidden Drive and the Schuylkill River Trail, a popular route for commuters and recreational bikers.
The bridges were closed for renovations for nearly two years.
“We've completely reinforced and restored these four trail bridges for the first time really in close to four decades,” said Patrick Morgan, Parks and Rec deputy commissioner.
The city faced some challenges while undertaking the $1.2 million project.
“Like the pandemic,” said Morgan, “a once-in-a-century hurricane, global supply chain shortage and just incredibly challenging building conditions overall.”
Sarah Clark Stuart, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said the renovations will make a big impact on commuters.
“Thousands of people use this trail annually and hundreds use it on a daily basis to commute from Northwest Philadelphia down into Center City or other places of employment,” she said. “There was a lot that had to be done to restore them to safety standards.”
