Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Mule Bridge

Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Mule Bridge
The Mule Bridge in 2023
Coordinates40°01′19″N 75°13′10″W / 40.02194°N 75.21944°W / 40.02194; -75.21944 (Rail bridge)
CarriesPhiladelphia & Reading Railroad, Venice Branch
CrossesSchuylkill River
LocalePhiladelphia/Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Characteristics
MaterialWrought iron
Total length623 feet (190 m)
History
Opened1889, altered 1943
Location
Interactive map of Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Mule Bridge

The Mule Bridge spans the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania, connecting Venice Island in Manayunk, Philadelphia, with Bala Cynwyd. It was built by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad in 1889.

The bridge is significant because it is one of Philadelphia's oldest metal railroad bridges, and a rare surviving example of a wrought-iron lattice truss.[1]

The last freight train crossed the bridge in April 4 2017.[2]

In the early 2020s, the possibility of converting the Mule Bridge to carry pedestrian and bicycle traffic, to connect the existing trails adjacent to it on both banks, was discussed. [3]

  • The Mule Bridge
  • A view in August 2025, looking toward the west bank.

See also

References

  1. ^ Spivey, Justin M. (April 2000). "Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, Mule Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Cotey, Angela (April 10, 2017). "East Penn makes final run on Philadelphia's Venice Island branch". Trains.com. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  3. ^ Bennett, Max (October 23, 2023). "Schuylkill River, Pencoyd Trails Could Be Connected By New Trail". Patch. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
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