Reading Viaduct – The next Highline?

In 2011 New York City will complete work on the Highline a 1.45 mile long section of abandoned railroad track that has been converted into a pedestrian walkway. This project has created a lot of new growth in a community bringing tourists and local residents to walk along it, as well as new businesses and residences.

In 2003 a group of Philadelphia residents undertook the daunting task to transform the Reading Viaduct into a similar green space. You my be familiar with this section of abandoned section of railroad track if you commute into Philadelphia via SEPTA commuter trains you've seen this location, its a raised section of track that runs through a blighted area. The Reading Viaduct project would help revitalize a community that needs green space, create infrastructure, and bring new development with the same effect as the Highline did. However unlike the Highline it would allow for a wide range of users including bicyclist, instead of pedestrians only.

Hopefully the city of Philadelphia will get behind this project to make it a part of our community.