Philadelphia will soon be getting its own version of New Yorkâs popular High Line park as construction on the first phase of The Rail Park will begin by the end of the current calendar year.
The project will transform the tracks of the old Reading Railroad into a 25,000-sf linear park. The park will have green space, lighting, walking paths, and benches and cost $10.3 million to build.
The park is expected to spur new development in the surrounding areas in the same way economic development has sprung up along the High Line. The first phase of the transformation will focus on improvements in the 1200 block of Noble Street and the viaduct bridges up to Callowhill Street. This phase is expected to be completed by early 2018.
When completed, The Rail Park will stretch for three miles across 10 neighborhoods and 50 city blocks. It will run underground and overhead and be divided into three separate sections: the Viaduct, the Cut, and the Tunnel. The first phase is where the Viaduct meets the Cut. Construction will work outward and onward from there, according to the parkâs official website. When completed, the park will connect Fairmount Park to Center City.
Phase one is almost completely funded thanks to a $3.5 million grant from the state. More funds still need to be secured before construction begins, but officials are confident the project will meet its requirements before 2017.
Â
 Rendering courtesy of The Rail Park
Â
Rendering courtesy of The Rail Park
Â
Rendering courtesy of The Rail Park
Â
Rendering courtesy of The Rail Park
Â
Rendering courtesy of The Rail Park
Related Stories
Architects | Apr 20, 2017
âGateways to Chinatownâ project seeks the creation of a new neighborhood landmark for NYCâs Chinatown
The winning team will have $900,000 to design and implement their proposal.
Green | Apr 14, 2017
Sunqiao looks to bring agriculture back to Shanghaiâs urban landscape
Vertical farms will bring new farmable space to the city.
Industrial Facilities | Apr 12, 2017
Energizing the neighborhood
The Denny Substation in Seattle is designed to give local residents a reason to visit.
Urban Planning | Apr 3, 2017
Capturing the waterfront draw
People seem to experience a gravitation toward the waterâs edge acutely and we traverse concrete and asphalt just to gaze out over an open expanse or to dip our toes in the blue stuff.
Urban Planning | Mar 31, 2017
4 important things to consider when designing streets for people, not just cars
For the most part what you see is streets that have been designed with the car in mindâat a large scale for a fast speed.
Urban Planning | Mar 14, 2017
Denmark-based architecture firm gives China the worldâs longest elevated bike path
The Xiamen Bicycle Skyway stretches for 7.6 kilometers throughout the central part of the city.
Urban Planning | Feb 9, 2017
Abandoned WWII-era military village to become 'commune for the 21st century'
The village in Heidelberg, Germany, which 16,000 Americans called home at one time, is being redesigned as a commune for up to 4,000 people.
Green | Feb 6, 2017
A to Z: Seoulâs elevated park features 24,000 alphabetized plants
The plants will represent 250 species found in South Korea.
Urban Planning | Jan 17, 2017
Using 'hidden data' to probe urban problems
The Center for Neighborhood Technology has been tackling poverty, housing, transportation, and environmental issues for four decades.
Architects | Nov 11, 2016
Six finalists selected for Londonâs Illuminated River competition
The competition is searching for the best design for lighting the bridges of central London.