Schuylkill Crossing
The goal of extending the trail to Bartram’s Garden requires a link between the Grays Ferry Crescent and Bartram's Mile. The ideal location for this connection is just south of the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge where an old railroad crossing was located. Work is underway to build a new, fully operating swing bridge that will meet ADA requirements and provide easy access across the river for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Schuylkill Crossing trail segment is the final link needed to provide an entirely off-road pedestrian and cyclist route between Southwest Philadelphia and over seven trail miles to the north along the Schuylkill River. The segment fulfills SRDC’s vision of constructing a completely off-road, multi-use trail along the lower Schuylkill River between the Fairmount Water Works and Bartram’s Garden, two National Historic Landmarks. The 1,000-foot trail segment features a center swing bridge truss, which will be able to pivot open when tall ships need to navigate through this area. The truss's center turning mechanism is integrated into the rehabilitated historic center pier and is protected by a newly built fender system. The two approach spans were also rehabilitated and link the bridge to the trail network.
Project Team
The feasibility study and final design for this project were completed by Ammann & Whitney (later merged with Louis Berger, which was acquired by WSP) and funded by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Coastal Resources Management program at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Construction is being completed by AP Construction and funded by the City of Philadelphia, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Federal Highway Administration through the Transportation Improvements Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
Project Photos
Above photo is of the 1901 PW&B Swing Bridge (Bridge No. 31) as it was being dismantled in July 2018.
Above photo from the Philadelphia Department of Streets Instagram account showing the first section of the new truss being set into place on July 15, 2025.
Above photo taken just after the last of the new truss sections was set into place on July 18, 2025. Work continued with joining the sections.
Above photo taken as crews were pouring the concrete deck for the truss, which involved multiple loads of lightweight concrete pumped from trucks positioned on the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge.
Above photo taken on June 18, 2026 following installation of truss accent lighting.
Tour of Schuylkill Crossing prior to its opening with Tyler Barile, assistant chief construction engineer with the Philadelphia Streets Department's construction unit, and Heather Saeger, SRDC's Interim CEO.
