New Walking And Biking Trail Coming To Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City officials say they are giving millions to help transform a desolate, overgrown space into a park and biking trail in Center City.
The Reading Viaduct, which used to shuttle trains into and out of the city, will be redeveloped into a walking, running and biking trail, similar to the Schuylkill Banks Trail -- something longtime resident and advocate Sarah McEneaney has been fighting for.
"It will be a 3-mile recreational and transit -- in terms of walking and biking -- trail, that goes through many distinct neighborhoods" McEneaney said, "but we will have to build it in parts because of the expense."
Governor Tom Wolf has announced the state will give $3.5 million.
"The state is not giving but investing in this project, because this project is going to mean a lot for a part of the city that really needs help," said the governor. "This is just going to add luster to the open space that Philadelphia does so well."
And the city will chip in nearly $3-million as well.
Nearly $10-million has been raised so far for Phase 1, and officials say they will need to continue to collect more.