SRT improvements and new segments/connections coming soon!

There are a number of trail improvement, construction and planning projects underway in Northwest Philadelphia and Lower Merion. This post provides the latest information about the status of various sections of the SRT (on road and off road routes) and important connections.

East Falls Bridge to Ridge Avenue (Department of Park and Recreation) – Philadelphia's new Parks and Rec. Department will widen and improve the sidewalk/path starting in Spring 2010. During construction, the on road detour will be on Calumet Street and Ridge Avenues.

Wissahickon Gateway (DPR) – Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Philadelphia's DPR are jointly funding an Engineering study of crossing the Wissahickon Creek and the area behind the Transportation Center and other buildings along Ridge/Main (up to the movie theatre complex) to inform how to design a new bridge and riverfront path to circumvent the difficult on road sections of Ridge and Main Streets. The scope of this study is being developed and an RFP will be out this summer.

Manayunk Canal Towpath/Lock Street to Shawmont (DPR) – Funding is in hand for Fairmount Park staff to do trail improvements along the entire canal towpath. These improvements will start after the Philadelphia Water Dept. finishes sewer repairs near the Shawmont area.

Manayunk Bridge and Ivy Ridge (Schuylkill Project)– New path on old R6 Line. The Schuylkill Project (part of the Manayunk Development Corporation) has submitted an application to DCNR and William Penn Foundation for funding to conduct a feasibility and preliminary design study. This is the first important step necessary to make this important connection between the Cynwyd Trail and Schuylkill River Trail.

Cynwyd Trail (Lower Merion Township)--Consultants are preparing final construction drawings and LMT will advertise for construction bids this summer or fall.

Shawmont to Montgomery County Line (DPR) – A new path segment will be constructed on the rail/utility line from Port Royal Avenue to Shawmont Avenue. A ramp will descend down to the Shawmont/Nixon Street intersection. Design is complete and PECO lease has been finalized. City Council needs to approve the PECO lease. The existing SRT path between Port Royal and Montgomery County line will be widened to 12′ with 2’ shoulders on either side while overlaying surface with bituminous overlay. The Philadelphia path width will match Montgomery County portion of the SRT. This project is funded by both TIGER and Transportation Enhancement funds.