LOCAL TRAFFIC: Good News & Bad News

EastFallsLocal-Walnut-Lane-Bridge-nears-completion-Judy-Gotwald-Aug-2016-txt-1-1024x621.jpg

Yay! Construction on the Walnut Lane Bridge should be completed next month! Unfortunately, as one traffic snarl ends, another begins — this one, even closer to home. 

EastFallsLocal Walnut Lane Bridge nears completion Judy Gotwald Aug 2016 txt

Have you been loving all the traffic on Schoolhouse Lane, or what? Since repairs began on the Walnut Lane Bridge last April, rush hour in East Falls has been extra-maddening thanks to detours that bring drivers from all over NW Philly thru our neighborhood.

Walnut Lane Bridge is one of only two crossing points over the entire 4-mile stretch of the Wissahickon Gorge — with its closing, many drivers from Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy, Germantown, etc. were detoured thru East Falls streets, creating stop-and-go traffic several times a day. Locals are ready to say goodbye to Rush Hour headaches.

Not so fast, Fallsers!

Town News Today reports that as soon as Walnut Lane is finished (September 28th, according to recent reports), renovations begin on Lincoln Drive from Ridge to Wayne Avenue in Germantown.  Upgrades include two new sidewalks, bumpouts, pedestrian signals, retaining wall improvements, and even water mitigation interventions along the trail.

Last June, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Streets Department said they’d be working with PennDOT to ensure Lincoln Drive will remain open during morning and evening rush hours. Still, prepare for some detours — and maybe start planning some alternate routes now.

EastFallsLocal Streets Dept Lincoln Drive detour 2016 dates details

Meanwhile, cement trucks on Walnut Lane are expected to begin pouring concrete as early as tonight — one of the last steps before the bridge is expected to open in September. (Lead photo by Judy Gotwald shows foundation reinforcements.)

EastFallsLocal Streets Dept Lincoln Drive detour 2016 map CRPOP

Work on Lincoln Drive is slated to be finished by early 2018.  For all the latest details on Lincoln Drive’s repairs & renovations, see Phila Streets Dept’s June 8, 2016 report.

FOLLOW TOWN NEWS TODAY for more real local news including East Falls, Roxborough, and Manayunk.  Also on Facebook!

 

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