I admit I haven't followed the debate regarding the bridge proposals very closely.

But can someone please explain why no one is considering a tunnel under the tracks rather than building a monstrous, low-sloping, twist and turn bridge...?

Probably as a matter of safety. A tunnel could be a haven for robbers, rapists and other ne'er do wells. Even if it featured a security camera, it would be trivial for someone to disable it.

BTW, I just received the following email from Schuylkill River Park Alliance.

http://www.freetheriverpark.info/index.asp?p=13

__________________
Cheers,
Jayfar
--
“I am indeed well aware of the history of Conventional (sic) Hall, both globally and locally, and can assure you that we are carefully exploring avenues for its future.” -- Penn President Amy Gutmann 5 days before demolition began.

This is so insanely stupid. Why the city can't force an at-grade crossing there is beyond my comprehension (I understand why CSX doesn't want it, by but the city does have greater rights than a corporation, right?).

CSX went to court to put a barrier up. They argued that an at-grade crossing would allow pedestrians to put themselves at risk.

Certainly you can see how they would argue that there is a much safer, above grade bridge crossing just ONE block away. I realize park users will say "then we have to go down stairs or go a single additional block to get to a ramp blah blah blah". Just try to realize that to outsiders, it seems the city and park users are being unreasonable in asking for an at grade crossing when there are crossings just blocks away. Certainly in other areas of the country you don't get an at-grade crossing everywhere you want one, especially when there are multiple alternatives within a quarter mile.

CSX is trying to cover their own butts, because when some jack@$$ decides to cross the grade crossing when they shouldn't and gets hurt/dies they will be on the hook. And then you will see interviews from neighbors saying "that crossing is so unsafe, I really wish CSX would have been more responsible and closed it up".

What really needs to happen is that the city/state should apply eminent domain and take the property and get rid of the rail line. That stretch could be developed to be much more useful for the city than what it is currently used for.

That's just bold-faced hypocrisy on CSX's part; there are literally dozens of at-grade crossings along Delaware Ave, all of which put pedestrians and automobiles "at risk". Hell, I remember when they used to have unprotected tracks running down the middle of Washington Ave.

The right-of-way that CSX is trying to protect is rarely used, and trains could be routed other ways to get to the destinations it serves. The city should exercise eminent domain and put an end to this BS.

Great minds and all...

I used to live near 25th & Locust. As everyone in that neighbor knows, trains would stop and block the crossing forcing everyone to use the ramp/stairs a block down (this was a favorite stopping point for the summer "trash train".)

One day, I was on the path side when I watched some girl and her boyfriend attempt to climb over the train between cars. The girl was carrying flowers and wearing flip-flops. Just as she was struggling to get good footing, a cop shows up to tell the train to move along...seems there was fire on the path side and the fire department couldn't get to the fire with the train blocking the only access way in.

You hear the brake release on the train and everyone around was shouting at the girl to get down (her boyfriend was already over the train and not helping the situation). I actually turned away at that moment because I thought she was gonna get smooshed. Thankfully, she jumped off as the train started to pull forward.

I'm not sure a grade crossing is the wisest of choices when you have someone that stupid attempting to use it! I can at least understand CSX's concern.

IMO, if people want to use the path, going down one block more just seems to be a better and safer option...

Do you know how often the trackage on Delaware Avenue is used compared to the trackage along the River Park? I do not. But I do see trains along the River Park much more often than I do along Delaware Ave.

Also, this is a new crossing. The crossings along Delaware Avenue pre-date the very existence of CSX. The development of the Schyulkill River Park as an attraction that warrents crossing the track is very new compared to the development of the Delaware River waterfront. It is much easier for CSX to fight these new battles than to try to fix crossings that were in place before they existed as a corporation.

The Delaware Ave track is used frequently, as it still serves the piers along the Delaware. They usually try to schedule its use at night, but I have seen trains on there during the day.

The track that runs along the park, on the other hand, seems to be rarely used, from my standpoint. and as I pointed out before, trains could be routed other ways to get where that track runs. The same isn't true of Delaware Ave.

Basically, CSX wants to have its cake and eat it, too. They want to keep all their right-of-ways, but they are unwilling to invest any money in improvements. If you need proof of that, come down and look at the viaduct south of Washington Ave.