Philadelphia Completes First Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Project

City officials cut the ribbon on a major bridge reconstruction.

1 minute read

September 26, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Google street view of Montgomery Avenue Bridge, Philadelphia under construction.

The Montgomery Avenue Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during construction. | Google / Google Maps

Philadelphia officials celebrated the completion of the city’s first project using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, the Montgomery Avenue Bridge, reports Harrison Cann in City & State. The city has received $653 million in federal funding since January. 

“The Montgomery Avenue Bridge, which had been deteriorating for years, runs over train tracks to connect the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood with North Central Philadelphia.” Cann adds that the project used foam glass as part of its reconstruction — a “lightweight, gravel-like material made from recycled glass.” 

Commenting on the historically underserved communities such as Strawberry Mansion that could benefit from the project, Mayor Cherelle Parker said, “If us doing all of this work…does not translate into economic opportunities that people who live in Philadelphia, who traditionally have not had access to these opportunities – if they can’t see, touch and feel the benefit for them – all of this has been for naught.”

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 in City & State

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Blue and white Amazon trucks parked at loading docks at warehouse.

Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom

The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.

30 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times