Walnut Street Bridge Enhancement

The current roadway layout of the Walnut Street Bridge provides 4 wide traffic lanes, a bike lane and two 8’ sidewalks. Adjustments were considered to meet the heavy pedestrian and bicycle use of this crossing. Detailed traffic analyses determined that reducing the number of lanes from 4 to 3 and decreasing the lane widths would not only allow for wider 12’ sidewalks but also calm traffic. Designs also call for replacing the large, overhead I-76 signs with smaller signs placed on poles at the sides of the roadway to make the bridge feel less like a highway. The existing conflict between bicycles and auto traffic at Schuylkill Avenue will be minimized. These changes should create a safer facility that encourages a symbiotic relationship with all bridge users.

This Walnut Street Bridge enhancement project has received federal stimulus funding through the Transportation Improvements Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program and a federal earmark grant. Crossing Construction is currently working on these aesthetic and traffic calming improvements, which should be complete by August 2012.

Design for this project was performed by Michael Baker Engineers with landscaping provided by Lager, Raabe, Skafte Landscape Architects.