Infrastructure funding to help repair two historic Philadelphia bridges

Philadelphia is set to receive $14.2 million from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure law to repair two historic bridges crossing the Wissahickon Creek. 

Much needed funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be flowing into Philadelphia to repair a pair of historic stone bridges in the northwest section of the city, lawmakers announced earlier this week.

The city will be receiving $14.2 million from the infrastructure law to repair the Bells Mill Road and Valley Green Road bridges that pass over the Wissahickon Creek. The bridges date back to the 1800s and both are in poor condition according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

“This is tremendous news for Philadelphia, and for residents and others who travel our roads in Northwest Philadelphia on their way to and from Wissahickon Valley Park, a beautiful section of our city,” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

The funding for the repairs is made available through the US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Effective and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant program.

Pennsylvania has received over $14.2 billion in federal funding from the infrastructure law since it was signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, with more than $8 billion spent on road and bridge repairs. 

“The infrastructure law is the gift that keeps on giving to Pennsylvania. Across our Commonwealth, we’re delivering crucial funding to repair bridges used by thousands of Pennsylvanians every day,” Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) said in a statement.

“By rehabilitating the Bells Mill Road and Valley Green Road bridges, we’re improving their longevity and keeping drivers and passengers safe—not to mention protecting access to nearby Wissahickon Valley Park, one of Philadelphia’s greatest natural destinations.”