The Christian to Crescent Cable-Stayed Bridge is a public Schuylkill River Trail connection on the river’s east bank in Philadelphia. It links the trail near Christian Street with the Grays Ferry Crescent section at 34th Street, closing a gap in the route. The project was completed in May 2025.
Where is the Christian to Crescent Bridge?
The bridge runs along the east side of the Schuylkill River, connecting the trail near Christian Street to Grays Ferry Crescent at 34th Street. It extends Schuylkill Banks and provides a continuous trail connection between these sections. The full trail segment is 2,812 feet long; the cable-stayed main bridge within it is 650 feet long. Schuylkill Banks’ project page and its landmark description distinguish the project from the bridge alone.
![Blacksburg, New River Valley [George Washington and Jefferson National Forests] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WD2io-e6L._SL160_.jpg)
Is the trail connection open?
The project was completed in May 2025, and the official opening event was scheduled for May 17, 2025. The published project information describes it as a completed trail connection. For current access conditions, check local Schuylkill Banks updates before setting out; the event listing’s directions and transit notes were for opening day, not a guarantee of present-day service or access.
How the bridge is built
The cable-stayed structure has a 25-foot-wide deck that curves gently and widens at each tower to provide seating areas and overlooks. Its two towers are made from ten concrete sections apiece, post-tensioned in place. Three horizontal spans on either side of the towers use prestressed U-beams, also post-tensioned in place. The cables form what the project page calls a “woven harp” arrangement. Schuylkill Banks’ project description outlines the structure.
#1 Best Overall
Each river foundation uses nine concrete caissons secured into bedrock. Schuylkill Banks gives the combined height of the foundations, deck and towers as 168 feet above mean water line. That figure uses a different reference point from the tower measurement in an AECOM-authored article in ASPIRE: the towers rise 139 feet above the deck, and each anchors 28 wire-rope cables. The two heights are not interchangeable. The Fall 2025 ASPIRE article also identifies the cable strand as 2¾-inch-diameter ASTM A586 galvanized structural strand with Class A coating.
Fort Miller lists eight curved precast concrete tub girders in its project scope. Its project page identifies the City of Philadelphia and Schuylkill River Development Corporation as owners and PKF-Mark III as contractor. Fort Miller’s project page provides those supplier-reported details.
What the trail section offers
The trail segment includes lighting, benches, trash cans, newly planted trees and flowering perennials. It also includes a tunnel connection to Grays Ferry Crescent and an accessible connection to the 34th Street Bridge. Those features are described on the Schuylkill Banks landmark page.
Finding an access point
The opening-day event listing identified the project’s northern end near Christian Street as the celebration location. It described access from the CHOP Bridge, which has stairs only, the South Street stairs and ramp, and the Boardwalk. It also noted that vehicle parking was unavailable near the 34th Street Bridge access point and listed SEPTA Routes 49, 12 and 64 as serving the area. These are details from the May 2025 event listing, not current transit schedules or confirmation of today’s site conditions. Check the event page alongside current SEPTA and local access information when planning a visit.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
![Grand Canyon West [Grand Canyon National Park] (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41a9rI7XNRL._SL160_.jpg)
- Grand Canyon West [Grand Canyon National Park]
- Grand Canyon West [Grand Canyon National Park]
- National Geographic Maps
Design history and recognition
A 2018 Schuylkill Banks capital update described the proposed bridge’s cable pattern as woven; the completed project page describes the final arrangement as a woven harp. The distinction reflects the descriptions used at different project stages. The January 2018 update records the earlier design description.
PCI’s project profile quotes Joel Cummings, AECOM associate vice president and project manager: “The Christian to Crescent Cable-Stayed Bridge creates a vital new connection for cyclists and pedestrians, reshaping how people move through Philadelphia.” PCI’s project profile includes the statement. PCI’s 2026 design-award winners page also lists the bridge; the listing supports that recognition, not any broader award claim. See PCI’s 2026 winners.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Trails Illustrated Map: Glacier Waterton Lakes N
- Trails Illustrated Map: Glacier Waterton Lakes N
- National Geographic Maps
Rank #4
- Flat Tops South #151
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
