Girard Avenue Bridge
Girard Avenue Bridge is a bridge spanning the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, carrying Girard Avenue between Fairmount and West Philadelphia. The current bridge, completed in 2016, replaced a structurally deficient 1970s-era structure.
History
[edit | edit source]The original Girard Avenue Bridge opened in 1874 and was one of the key crossings connecting Center City to West Philadelphia. It was replaced multiple times, with major reconstructions in the 1970s and most recently in 2016.[1]
Current Bridge
[edit | edit source]The 2016 replacement bridge features:
- Modern steel arch design
- Four vehicle lanes
- Protected bicycle lanes
- Wide pedestrian sidewalks
- LED lighting
- Connection to the Schuylkill River Trail
The $98 million project improved safety and capacity while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle access.
Location
[edit | edit source]The bridge connects:
- Girard Avenue in Fairmount (east)
- Girard Avenue in West Philadelphia (west)
- Near the Philadelphia Zoo and Please Touch Museum
- Adjacent to Fairmount Park
Significance
[edit | edit source]The Girard Avenue Bridge is a major east-west connector, carrying Girard Avenue—one of the city's primary crosstown routes. It provides essential access to the Philadelphia Zoo, Fairmount Park, and institutions in both Fairmount and West Philadelphia.
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Girard Avenue Bridge Project". City of Philadelphia. Retrieved December 2025