Closure Announced For Schuylkill River Trail Beneath The Martin Luther King Drive Bridge

PHILADELPHIA - Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi has announced that a section of the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) beneath the MLK Bridge will be closed overnight on Thursday, July 18, weather permitting. This closure is necessary as contractors will install the bridge overhang over the trail in the evening as part of the Martin Luther King Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The trail will remain accessible during daytime hours.

Beginning Thursday, July 18, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., a small section of the SRT, located between Paine's Park and Fairmount Water Works, will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists. The overnight trail closure is needed to allow the bridge contractor to safely transition the work to the next phase of construction to complete bridge concrete removal on the MLK Bridge over top of the SRT.

The overnight trail closure is expected to last two days in conjunction with the bridge contractor activities. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be detoured at the closures between Paine's Park and Fairmount Water Works. Trail detour signs will be posted at either end of the trail closure to direct pedestrians and bikers around the closure using the trail behind the Philadelphia Art Museum to reconnect to Kelly Drive.

This work is part of the ongoing MLK Bridge Rehabilitation project which is being performed by Haines & Kibblehouse. The value of the construction contract is $20.1M, and is being fully funded using federal dollars. Overall bridge construction is expected to be completed by the Spring 2025.

The Streets Department thanks citizens in advance for their patience and cooperation during the progression of this important project.