Audery&Simone

The Reading Viaduct

By Audrey Morrison and Simone Brown

The Reading Viaduct Organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to the reuse of the Reading Viaduct, an elevated rail structure in Philadelphia.

Co-founders Sarah McEneaney and John Struble see the viaduct as an amenity for all Philadelphians. One of the ideas is a park atop the viaduct.

Location

The viaduct is a mile-long elevated train track that extends 10 blocks through the Callowhill/Chinatown North neighborhood, beginning at Vine Street and ending at Fairmount Avenue.

From 11th and Vine, the viaduct travels north to Callowhill Street and then splits into two separate parts. The northeast section continues to 915 Spring Garden St., bisecting the West Poplar and Brandywine East communities and ends at the 800 block of Fairmount Avenue. The western section runs into Broad Street and the Spring Garden neighborhood.

History

In 1889, the Reading Company announced that it would build a train shed at 12th and Market streets after being in competition with the Pennsylvania Railroad and its station at 15th and Market streets.

The first passengers rode the Reading Viaduct in 1893. The viaduct was in use until Nov. 6, 1984, when Reading Terminal closed and Market East Station opened. The viaduct is still standing today, with the exception of the portion south of Vine Street that was demolished for the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

"The Viaduct begins at 11th and Vine streets and branches out to the east and west, taking you to Broad Street and crossing Spring Garden at Ninth Street. "We see it as a bridge that connects different neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Philadelphia, Northern Liberties and many others," said Sarah McEneaney, co-founder of Reading Viaduct Project.

"It's a great thing to bring together different communities because in Philadelphia our communities seem to be so divided," she added.

Click below for a different slide:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

	Philly's Golden Block By Justin McAneny and Brendan Keegan

	The Reading Viaduct By Audrey Morrison and Simone Brown

	North Philadelphia Through Their Eyes By Galena Mosovich

	Suburbs in the City By Megan Lennon, Jesse Smith and Torin Sweeney