New bridge to give pedestrians easy access to 76

Schuylkill Banks has been making numerous improvements along its Center City river trail by adding decorative brick edges to portions of the paved walk, a lower, narrower riverside walk, access steps, bench areas and a gateway plaza near Martin Luther King Blvd.

The most costly addition to the Banks to date, however, a pedestrian bridge spanning the Schuylkill, is currently underway and will connect the trail to Interstate 76 on the west side of the river.

"At one time a bridge, we think an ancient railroad bridge, was standing in this spot," said Schuylkill Banks board member, Tara Worthern, standing on the east anchorage of the planned bridge, the only remaining part of the long ago span. "I'm committed to rehabbing lost structures."

The Banks' board of directors has made it clear that part of their mission to bring a park and greenway to Center City included restoring historic structures that once stood, or stand dilapidated, within the new park's boundaries.


Though the bridge will be constructed exactly like its "ancient" predecessor board members from other parks around the city are not sure the cost, $20 million, or its functionality make sense.

"Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not sure why pedestrians would desire access to I-76. Pedestrians are prohibited from that roadway anyway," said Washington Square board member, Nancy Brucker.

"I hate to use the term Bridge to Nowhere, but ... that's what it seems like," said Fitler Square president and CEO, Dennis Morgan. "That money could be spent on helping the trail reach its intended terminus at Fort Mifflin down by the airport."

Many involved in the city's park politics felt Morgan would fully support the Banks' bridge project because of his Fitler Square observation tower plan in 2007. The nearly-passed plan (missed by one vote) called for a 50-ft, $3 million tower at the northeast corner of the park and an exhibit on Thomas G. Fitler at the top. (Fitler Square was named after former mayor Edwin H Fitler. The proposed exhibit confused the other board members.)


Schuylkill Banks has said that it's more about the structure than where it leads. The park realizes that joggers, walkers and bikers will not be welcomed on I-76 once reaching the west side of the river.

"Maybe they could just jog on the shoulder or something? I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud." said Worthern. "Is PennDot ... I ... forget what I was going to say. How about that brick edging we put in last week, huh?"