This is big: Cyclists can now cruise along the Schuylkill River Trail from Philly directly into Valley Forge National Historic Park, thanks to the official opening of Sullivan’s Bridge.
Officials celebrated the opening of the new multi-use bridge path on Friday, marking an official connection between the trail and the park and another addition to the Circuit Trails network.
Sullivan’s Bridge is a 14-foot wide, 602-foot long bridge trail that now replaces Betzwood Bridge, which was demolished in 1995 and served as the main connection between the trails. When the bridge was demo’d, cyclists had to be detoured to a narrow, temporary boardwalk next to the Route 422 highway in order to reach the park from the Schuylkill River Trail.
The new bridge is named after Major General John Sullivan, who was given orders by George Washington to build a bridge across the Schuylkill while the Continental Army’s 1777-78 winter encampment at Valley Forge.
Sullivan’s Bridge is now owned by the National Parks Service.