We just received an announcement from Philadelphia Parks and Recreation noting that, due to another crash at the bridge connecting Forbidden Drive and the Wissahickon Bike Trail, the bridge is closed, again. The person driving the minivan which crashed off the Drive, damaging the bridge, has apparently abandoned the vehicle and it’s been sitting there for over a week. Not good! Here is a statement from PPR:
Due to structural damage from a recent vehicular accident, the bridge connecting Forbidden Drive to the Wissahickon Bike Trail (near “Ten Box”) is closed. Beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, February 28, bicyclists and pedestrians will not be able to use the trail to connect from Forbidden Drive to Ridge Avenue.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation prioritizes the safety of trail users and thanks them for their patience while we conduct a thorough assessment of the damage. We will share additional updates on the length of the closure and recommended detours as soon as possible.
As we’ve written before, the speeds on Lincoln Drive are much too fast; crashes like this one are commonplace and have the potential to make even safe, off-street trails through the woods, like this one, hazardous.
As readers of this blog, and followers of our advocacy may remember, we called for a road diet on Lincoln Drive in the past. That plan was not taken seriously, and even minimal treatments to stop illegal parking on the shoulders of Lincoln were rejected by near-neighbors. Since that time, carnage has continued.
Philly’s got problems.
Yup, it isn’t the 7/11 machete slashing or the gta ambulance driver. It’s an abandoned minivan
lincoln from ridge to (at least) rittenhouse should be taken down to 1 lane each direction. this would give ample space to smooth out some of the curviest curves. people treat it like formula 1 racing, myself included sometimes.
This is a critical cycling link. How long will it take to fix, is it a priority for the city, and why doesn’t the city install speed cameras and mail speeding tickets to idiots who drive minivans like the stig?
Don’t just barricade it; fix it.
CAN WE GET A STATUS UPDATE?
Biking through grumpy east falls commuters is no fun.
Who can we petition to get some movement on this issue?
Hi James: Here you go. There is little new information to report, yet. Once we get all the information, we will be setting up a campaign around fixing this issue. https://bicyclecoalition.org/wissahickon-bridge-still-closed-here-are-the-detour-routes/