Pennsylvania Environmental Council selects Michael Baker Jr., Inc. to design 58th Street Connector Greenway

Philadelphia, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Environmental Council announced that Michael Baker Jr., Inc. in association with Toole Design Group has been contracted to produce the conceptual and final design of the 58th Street Connector Greenway trail. The greenway segment in Southwest Philly will connect the Schuylkill River Trail and Bartram’s Garden to the existing Cobbs Creek Trail and become one of the links in the national East Coast Greenway.

“Once complete, this greenway might also become one of the most innovative urban greenway segments actually constructed in the region, incorporating innovative traffic design and sustainability solutions, and bringing sorely need green and economic development to this neighborhood,”said Spencer Finch, Director of Sustainable Communities for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering firm with offices in Philadelphia, has worked for PennDOT district 6-0 for over 40 years. Recent projects include construction management and inspection work on the $700 million SEPTA Market Street Elevated Line Reconstruction and the Schuylkill River Park Bicycle/Pedestrian Ramp.

The stretch of trail along 58th Street was previously selected as the most desirable route linking the Schuylkill River and Cobbs Creek Trail during a 2007 trail study. During the design phase, the community will be invited to share their wants and needs for a greenway trail, including signage, sidewalk repairs, trees, and benches. The final design will guide the construction of the trail.

The conceptual design phase of the project will start immediately and run through January, 2010. The public was introduced to the project at a meeting on Thursday, October 1st at the Francis Myers Recreation Center in the Kingsessing neighborhood. The second public meeting will be held on Thursday, October 29th at 6:00pm at 5803 Kingsessing Avenue. Final design is expected to be complete by the fall of next year.

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The Pennsylvania Environmental Council promotes the protection and restoration of the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy with the private sector, government, individuals and communities as partners to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. For more information: www.pecpa.org and www.pecpa.org/eastcoastgreenway