U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd), Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Mayor Cherelle Parker announced nearly $37 million in federal funding for two local projects.
The U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $23.3 million to the city of Philadelphia to help transform Eakins Oval and more than $13 million toward connecting Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River Trail from Manayunk to Passyunk.
“This federal funding will improve transportation options and safety, as well as the quality of life for people in Philadelphia and the region,” said Evans.
The Eakins project will design and construct multimodal improvements to Benjamin Franklin Parkway, including the Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps and Pennsylvania Avenue. According to officials, the project includes implementing a new traffic pattern, intersection and traffic signal improvements, pedestrian connectivity and disability access improvements, bicycle paths and traffic calming measures.
The Schuylkill River Trail project will complete a 39-mile off-road, riverside, multi-use trail between Pottstown in Montgomery County and Southwest Philadelphia in an effort to close a critical gap to historically disadvantaged communities in Southwest Philadelphia.
Project organizes plan for the Wissahickon Gateway Trail to become an anchor for new shops, offices, housing, public transit service, riverfront green space, and multi-use trail connections between Center City, Northwest Philadelphia, and Montgomery County. The Passyunk Connection will remove barriers to safe, affordable, and equitable mobility options along the Schuylkill River Trail.
“Philadelphia is doubling down on being a city that truly works for people, not just cars,” Fetterman said. “These two grants put that vision into action… With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence around the corner, it’s only fitting that Philadelphia leads the charge in showing what the future of urban living can be.
“This is exactly what all our nation’s cities should be working toward,” Fetterman added, “and I’m proud it’s happening right here in the birthplace of America.”
