Why can’t the walkway be extended for easier bike access?
Several years ago, DRPA engineers conducted a feasibility study for extending the walkway on the south side of the bridge for bike access by eliminating steps. The findings indicated cost, grade and other logistical issues that make it difficult to consider building an extended walkway along bridge abutments in Camden. While the Philadelphia approach to the walkway is at grade level, the structural conditions are quite different in Camden due to the location of PATCO’s yard and underground tunnel, the bridge maintenance yard, abutment sidewalks, and Camden’s 5th Street pedestrian tunnel. Extending the walkway poses engineering challenges, community challenges and architectural challenges. We would have to cut off access to the 5th Street pedestrian tunnel, create a structure to span the underground PATCO tunnel, extend the width of abutment sidewalks, eliminate metered parking along Pearl Street cutting off revenue for the Camden Parking Authority and cutting much-needed parking for Ru
