Sullivan's Bridge to Open Across Schuylkill River, Group to Bike From Norristown Saturday

The long awaited pedestrian access bridge across the Schuylkill River is finally opening. The Sullivan Bridge will open on Friday, August 19, uniting the Schuylkill River Trail with the main parking area at Valley Forge National Park.

The official opening celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Members of the public are encouraged to be among the first to walk, run, or bike across the new bridge. There will be a ribbon cutting to mark the opening.

The new pedestrian bridge will replace the old wooden bridge that was connected to U.S. 422. The bridge is old and narrow, and cyclists were required to dismount and walk their bikes across.

The National Park Service and the Friends of Valley Forge National Park sponsored a contest to name the new bridge in 2013, organizers said. In September of 2015 it was announced that the new bridge would be named after Major General John Sullivan, who was charged by George Washington to build a bridge over the Schuylkill during the Continental Army's infamous 1777-78 winter encampment.

On Saturday, the public is invited to join Schuylkill River Towns for free bike entrals, guided bike tours, free snacks, music, and other celebratory activities at Betzwood Park at the foot of the bridge.

Groups will be biking to the event on Saturday from the following locations:

Bridgeport: 9:15am
Conshohocken Brewery
3 DeKalb St, Bridgeport, PA 19401

Norristown: 9:30am
Riverfront Park
100 Haws Ave, Norristown, PA 19401

Phoenixville: 9:15am
Twisted Cog Bike Shop
167 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA 19460

Spring Mill: 9:00am
Riverbend Cycles
1 Station Ave, Conshohocken, PA 19428

Image courtesy Valley Forge National Historic Park.