Philadelphia, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration celebrated the opening of the Christian to Crescent Trail Connector, a long-anticipated link in the five-county Schuylkill River Trail that now provides a fully off-road route between Center City and South Philadelphia.
The half-mile segment, which includes a striking cable-stayed bridge, was made possible in part through investments from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) — demonstrating the Commonwealth’s commitment to expanding trail access, improving transportation infrastructure, and driving local economic development in communities across Pennsylvania.
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll joined local leaders and community members to cut the ribbon on the new trail segment, which marks a major milestone in the Shapiro Administration’s work to expand Pennsylvania’s trail system and connect neighborhoods to jobs, parks, and each other.
“Trails connect many things — one neighborhood to another, people to nature and outdoor exercise, recreation to the economy,” said Secretary Dunn. “So when we invest in trails, we are really investing in strengthening and improving our communities.”
The Christian to Crescent Connector extends from Christian Street to 34th Street, linking Schuylkill Banks in Center City to the Grays Ferry Crescent Trail. The project transforms previously inaccessible riverfront into a vibrant public greenway and unlocks safe, off-road access to nearly seven miles of uninterrupted trail for South Philadelphia residents — a connection decades in the making.
“Supporting the many ways people get around is crucial for enhancing connectivity, fostering economic growth, and linking important natural features within the city,” said Secretary Carroll. “This bridge and this trail are a source of pride for PennDOT and everyone involved in its construction.”
The project was funded through:
- $1.8 million from DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), which support projects to create new trails and parks, rehabilitate existing green spaces, and protect natural resources across Pennsylvania. Last year, statewide investments totaled more than $10 million to support 36 trail projects.
- $10 million in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding through PennDOT and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- $3 million from DCED through the Multimodal Transportation Fund which encourages economic development by supporting projects that provide safe and reliable transportation for residents.
“This new trail connector gives the residents of South Philadelphia much-needed easy access to Center City – whether it be for recreation or to get to work,” said Secretary Siger. “Strengthening communities and improving the quality of life for our residents is a critical component for meaningful economic growth and we will continue to make these bold investments that make Pennsylvania a better place to live, work, and play.”
The project aligns with Governor Shapiro’s broader strategy to improve quality of life and economic opportunity in the Commonwealth by supporting infrastructure that encourages outdoor recreation, all modes of transportation, and vibrant main streets.
Under the Governor’s leadership, DCNR has helped close four of the Commonwealth’s Top 10 priority trail gaps in just the past two years. The Shapiro Administration has set a goal of ensuring that every Pennsylvanian lives within 10 minutes of a trail. With more than 12,000 miles of trails, Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest public trail systems in the eastern U.S. — positioning the Commonwealth as a leader in four-season outdoor recreation, a destination for active tourism, and making it The Great American Getaway.
Trail usage at Schuylkill Banks — the mile-long section of the trail running through Center City — has grown from 8,000 user trips per week in 2000 to over 33,000 trips per week today, making it one of the most heavily used trail segments in the Philadelphia region.
To explore the trail or learn more about the Schuylkill Banks project, visit schuylkillbanks.org.
# # #