The New Manayunk Bridge Trail to Open This Month

The iconic bridge will be reborn on October 30.

The Manayunk Bridge will soon connect both sides of the Schuylkill River | Photo: Liz Spikol

The Manayunk Bridge will soon connect both sides of the Schuylkill River | Photo: Liz Spikol

The connection of Schuylkill River Trail and Cynwyd Hertiage Trail will soon be complete, as the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia announced that the $4.12 million Manayunk Bridge Trail project will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting scheduled for 11 a.m. on October 30.

So runners, bikers and photographers, you better have your gear ready, because this one looks like it’s going to be a go-to spot for all of your routines.

The ambitious project will transform the iconic Manayunk Bridge, which owner SEPTA closed in 1986 due low ridership of the Ivy Ridge regional rail line, into what amounts to a Northwest Philly Highline-esque park, featuring dedicated running and biking lanes and a central walking/leisure area. Of course, all of these zones will get to experience sweeping views of the Schuylkill River.

The bridge, whose curves and arches are instantly recognizable by those in Manayunk, Lower Merion or the poor souls stuck in traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Once unveiled, it will also be a key milestone for The Circuit, which seeks to connect over 750 miles of trails throughout the Philadelphia region into one massive interconnected urban, suburban and rural trail network.

Here are a couple of great shots of the project under construction.

What: The Opening of the Manayunk Bridge Trail
Where: Dupont at High streets in Manayunk (Map)
When: October 30 – 11 a.m.
More Info: Hit up the Facebook event page for further updates. Here’s a great primer via Hidden City.

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