Project Status: Design
This project will rehabilitate stone arch bridge on Bells Mill Road and on Valley Green Road over Wissahickon Creek to ensure safety and usability for everyone.
Project Background
The Bells Mill Road stone masonry arch bridge is a 2-span 206-year-old structure linking Chestnut Hill and Andorra in Philadelphia. It spans over Wissahickon Creek with two recreational trails, Forbidden Drive and Orange Trail, adjacent to the structure. The bridge was built in 1820 providing the only road through Wissahickon Park at the time. It is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing element to the Chestnut Hill and Fairmount Park Historic Districts.
The Valley Green Road stone masonry arch bridge is a single span 194-year-old bridge linking Fairmount Park and Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia. It spans over Wissahickon Creek, with two adjacent recreational trails, Forbidden Drive and Orange Trail. Valley Green Inn is also located nearby. The bridge was built in 1832, was renovated in 1915, and is a contributing element to the Chestnut Hill and Fairmount Park Historic Districts.
Planned Work
- Removing the pavement and earth fill. Placing lightweight concrete fill material and installing a reinforced concrete deck (Bells Mill) or asphalt roadway (Valley Green).
- Removing deteriorated portions of the existing parapets, wingwalls, and spandrel. Reconstructing in-kind, portions of spandrel walls and wingwalls as required. Replacing the parapets at Bells Mill Road bridge with new stone-faced concrete parapets. Repointing masonry arch barrels and substructure units.
- Filling voids under the foundations with concrete and constructing concrete collars around the perimeter.
- Wetland mitigation will be developed by the creation of wetlands along Wises Mill Road, between Bells Mill Road and Valley Green Road bridges
- Traffic will be detoured for both bridges while the Streets Department rehabilitates the bridges.
Timeline
- Planning: Complete
- Design: Fall 2026
- Construction: Bells Mill Road Bridge Spring 2027 – Summer 2027
- Construction: Valley Green Road Bridge Summer 2027 – Fall 2027
- Complete: Fall 2027
Contact
If you have questions, please email the Streets Department at BridgeUnit@phila.gov