A mile-long section of the Schuylkill River Trail has opened in Philadelphia, providing a vital access point to the 130-mile Schuylkill River Trail System in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Contracted by the City of Philadelphia, Department of Public Property, Urban Engineers (Urban) provided the design for this $1.5 million, multi-use trail improvement project, which included widening an existing section that extends to the Montgomery County line and a new “off-road” segment to connect Shawmont and Port Royal Avenues. The new alignment allows bikers and pedestrians to bypass Nixon Road, reducing the volume of bicycle and pedestrian foot traffic through this residential area.

“The Schuylkill River Trail follows an abandoned rail bed, overlooks the Schuylkill River, and runs through various commercial, residential, and industrial properties,” said Urban’s Project Manager, Susan Dondoro-Dores, PE. “Extensive coordination with stakeholders and environmentally-sensitive design were integral to Urban’s approach with this project.”