Schuylkill River Trail Gets $500K For Pedestrian Bridge In Berks

UNION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Schuylkill River Trail continues to grow. A $500,000 grant will go towards the construction of a pedestrian bridge in Berks County, the Schuylkill River Greenways Natural Heritage Area announced on Thursday.

The grant, awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will provide a safe crossing in Union Township near Monocacy Station, the organization announced.

The bridge, which is expected to take a year to build, will begin construction in 2019.

“This is a high traffic area along Route 724 where cars are traveling at a high rate of speed with poor sight distances, and trail users must negotiate a steep hill on either side,” Trail Manager Robert Fowell said.

The bridge sits along the 20 mile stretch between Pottstown and Reading.

When complete, the trail will run about 130 miles from center city Philadelphia. The grant totals $516,501.

Image via Schuylkill River Greenways - Cyclists cross Route 724 at the Schuylkill River Trail intersection in Monocacy during Ride for the River in September.