Parts of MLK Drive, Schuylkill River Trail Closed for Construction

The closures kicked off today and will last until January 20th. A popular portion of the river trail is being rerouted.

Photo courtesy CodyJung via Creative Commons

Photo courtesy CodyJung via Creative Commons

Construction on a crumbling wall along the Schuylkill River trail will cause closures on Martin Luther King Drive and a detour on the recreational trail, PlanPhilly reports.

Starting today, the eastbound lane of MLK Drive will close from Sweet Briar Drive to Eakins Oval. That closure will be in effect daily between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until January 20th.

In addition, the Schuylkill River Trail will be closed between the Race Street trail entrance and Franklin Paine’s Skate Park. A detour will take joggers, bikers and walkers onto 22nd Street and Eakins Oval. That detour will last until January 20th as well.

Plans for construction were announced after a 75-foot section of the wall along the river fell into the water in August, according to PlanPhilly.

“This condition leaves the area unstable, and the river’s tide and large storms will continue to cause further erosion and damage,” officials said in a statement sent to PhillyVoice. “Without immediate action the remaining sections of the wall and soil have a high potential to see additional failure, presenting a life safety hazard to the public.”

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