Work begins on Port Richmond recreation trail along Delaware

Visitors along the Delaware River in Northeast Philly soon will see construction for a bike and walking trail.

City and state representatives gathered Monday at Pulaski Park where the 1.5-mile Port Richmond Trail will pass.

The $3.3 million project includes construction of the riverfront trail and a cleanup of the area.

It represents a great way to get the neighbors closer to the Delaware River, says state Rep. John Taylor, R-Philadelphia.

“Except for this little slice of heaven, they have very little access to this river. And I grew up just two miles down Allegheny Avenue around B street. We knew there was a river here, but you never got there unless, you know, you were going to work,” he said Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony. “But to add this recreational component to it is very, very important.

The Port Richmond trail renewal project is expected to be finished by September 2013.

It will be a part of “The Circuit” — a network of trails going through New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

There are plans on the way to add another 500 miles to the system.