Arguing for Philly's Viaduct Rail Park Provide as a Mobility Solution

Malcom Burnley revisits the idea of a linear park like the one proposed for the Reading Viaduct in Philadelphia as a benefit to the mobility of the city, not just another example of urban beautification similar to the example set by the High Line in New York City.

Burnley tours the proposed route with Michael Garden, boardmember with the Friends of the Rail Park, the driving force behind the proposed project. Before discussing its potential mobility benefits of the park, Brunley provides this summary of the long-term plans for the park:

In Phase 1, the elevated rail line would be repurposed, much like the High Line. In Phase 2, a 1.75-mile stretch of underground tunnels and dug-out space known as the City Branch (or, colloquially in transit circles, as “The Cut”) would be redone into a green corridor with paved throughways that might rival the cool factor of the Schuylkill Banks.

Distinguishing the Viaduct Rail Park proposal from the often-clogged High Line, "Garden envisions both the above-ground and below-ground portions of project as having ample room for bike lanes, running/pedestrian lanes, recreational space and even retail kiosks with coffee (and maybe some of those bougie popsicles)."

Burnley's conclusion after considering Garden's points:

I’d argue that the proposed rail park would not be transformative in the way that, say, stripping parking minimums from the zoning code or creating rapid transit on Roosevelt Boulevard would be. In that sense, maybe it’s a luxury transportation improvement. Nonetheless, it’s one that the city deserves.

The article follows an earlier article by Brunley listing 20 "smart transportation ideas" underway in Philadelphia. At the time, he left the Reading Viaduct off the list. An October study by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission [pdf] concluded the potentially building a bus-only route along the path of the viaduct would be too expensive.