WASHINGTON: CREISHEM BIKE TRAIL TO BECOME A REALITY FOR NW PHILLY

          HARRISBURG, June 29 – State Senator LeAnna M. Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) is pleased to announce that she has negotiated a preliminary agreement that will result in the 150-year old train bridge trestle that crosses Germantown Avenue near Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy to be preserved and eventually transferred to a local community organization.

          “I am very pleased with the final outcome that is the result of weeks of discussion, negotiation and compromise,” Washington said. “I must commend all of the parties involved in these discussions for working to bring a trail/bike path to our community.”

          The preliminary agreement, reached among PECO, PennDot and Mt. Airy USA, means the ownership of this historic trestle will be transferred from PECO to PennDot and finally rest in the hands of Mt. Airy USA, which will work to improve the appearance of the bridge as a gateway between two communities.

          “This agreement also means that we will preserve the bridge to ensure it may be used for the bicycle path,” Washington said.  “The Creishem Trail Bike path is now in the initial feasibility study stage and has broad support from community groups.”  Washington noted that the bridge is structurally sound, but was in danger of being removed because of liability concerns an ownership issues.

          “The removal of this bridge would have made the ultimate construction of a bicycle path much more difficult and expensive,” Washington explained. “This would have also removed one of Northwest Philadelphia’s historic element.”

          “A lot of people in this community worked extremely hard to bring this to fruition,” Washington continued. “I am especially pleased that the ownership of this project will ultimately rest with an outstanding community development corporation, Mt. Airy USA.  They have the expertise, experienced leadership and the support of the community.  This is a win-win for all involved.

          “We worked very hard to reach a satisfactory agreement among all parties and I think we should be proud of what we have accomplished.”

          The Trail/Bike path would begin in Cheltenham Township, continue through Springfield Township and follow through Philadelphia’s northwest where it would meet up with the Wissahickon Trail. 

          Washington said the proposed trail would use a (PECO) right of way for most of the distance.