Congressman Boyle Delivers $2 Million to Help Transform Reading Viaduct into Rail Park
The expanded park will improve access to schools, health care, and local businesses, while reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the old, crumbling railway
Contact
Jacob Hicks, 202.225.0544, jacob.hicks@mail.house.gov
JoAnn Loviglio, 215.440.5500, pr@centercityphila.org
PHILADELPHIA (May 28, 2026) — Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) announced $2 million in new federal funding he delivered for phase two of Philadelphia’s Rail Park, which will transform the old Reading Railroad Viaduct into an active transportation trail and vibrant new park.
“What we see right here is really a great physical manifestation of what happens when you have vision and execution,” said Congressman Boyle. “I am very excited about the work that has been done to achieve what you see behind me, this beautiful rail park. So, to support the next phase of this rail park, I am proud to have secured $2 million from our federal government to go right here to the Rail Park in Philadelphia.”
The expanded park will improve access to schools, health care, and local businesses, while reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the old, crumbling railway. This $2 million in new Community Project Funding builds on an additional $2 million previously secured by Congressman Boyle through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Once completed, phase two will transform 6.8 acres of brownfields spanning over half a mile into an elevated park.
Congressman Boyle was joined at today’s event by Paul Levy, Center City District Board Chair, and Prema Gupta, Center City District President & CEO. They were also joined by leaders from local Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) representing communities near the Rail Park.
“Congressman, on behalf of all the community groups that will benefit from this, thank you very much for your support,” said Center City District Board Chair Paul Levy. “It’s a huge first step in what will be a seven-tenths-of-a-mile park that will extend from Fairmount Avenue all the way down to Vine Street. And any day now, we’re expecting to execute an agreement with the federal government for another $2 million Reconnecting Communities grant that the Congressman also helped us get.”
Additional renderings of the Rail Park’s second phase are available in high resolution here.
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Center City District, partner to property owners and downtown stakeholders, is the steward and advocate for a clean, safe and thriving Center City Philadelphia. Find us at www.centercityphila.org.
