Friends of Wissahickon (FOW) recently announced that construction will begin for the Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project in mid-July.
The $2.5 million restoration project will be completed in two phases.
The first phase will reconstruct the Valley Green Run streambank and streambed to address years of worsening storm-induced erosion that led to the collapse of the footbridge in 2014.
The second phase will build a new pedestrian bridge to allow pedestrians to safely enter this popular area of the Wissahickon Valley Park. A new observation platform along the 200-foot extended walkway will offer visitors expansive views of the park’s schist outcroppings and the historic Valley Green Bridge.
Once construction begins, FOW expects that Valley Green Road will be closed for a period of six months. During this time, park visitors will not have access to the park via this road. Valley Green Inn will remain open during normal business hours. Parking for the Inn will be available via Wises Mill Road off Henry Avenue in Roxborough.
Access to the Orange and White trails northbound from Valley Green Road will be closed for the duration of construction. The next closest point of access will be from the Hartwell Lane trailhead. Visitors already in the park will take the detour on Forbidden Drive from Valley Green Road to Rex Avenue.
Partnering with FOW on the project are Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department. It is supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Anonymous Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, McLean Contributionship, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and individual donors.
General contractor and design/builder for the streambank restoration is Skelly & Loy, with sub-contractors CVMNEXT Construction as design/builder on the pedestrian bridge and Krieger Architects as design architect for the pedestrian bridge and project architect for donor recognition.
“Thank you for your patience and support during our long-awaited Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project construction which will lessen our environmental impact and improve access to our beloved park,” Ruffian Tittmann, FOW’s executive director, said.
You can click here for project updates, upcoming road closures, an interactive map, and multiple donor recognition opportunities. The site also provides guidance on getting to the park via SEPTA and other local park areas to visit.
For more on Friends of Wissahickon, you can visit their Facebook page.
Rendering courtesy of Krieger Architects, CVMNEXT Construction, and Skelly & Loy, Inc.