Portion of Heinz Refuge trail closed for year for flood repairs
A portion of the Wetland Loop Trail and part of the parking lot at the main entrance to the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge on Lindbergh Boulevard have been closed for 12 months to repair damage to the trail and the dike caused by Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020.
The work will involve sections from the Dike Road gate to the Tinicum Marsh Boardwalk as the result of the August 2020 storm that damaged the dike and the gravel trail. The storm flooded Dike Road and other areas. The trail will be closed from the gate to the James Carroll Observation Tower, which will remain open and is approachable from the Tinicum side of the refuge or the eastern part of the 3.5-mile loop trail.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the flood overtopped Dike, an old trolley bed and parts of Haul Road, causing significant erosion along Dike Road. After the storm the agency carried out emergency repairs to stabilize Dike Road, but those repairs were temporary.
The new year-long project will protect the road and dike slope permanently from future storm damage, the agency said.
The water control structure that regulates water flow between Darby Creek and the impoundment area will be completely replaced. In addition, a damaged fishing platform next to the water control structure will be replaced with a new platform along Darby Creek across from the boardwalk.
The stairs that used to lead to the big boardwalk were damaged during the storm and will be replaced and improvements will be made to the handicap accessible ramp connecting the boardwalk and trail, the Fish and Wildlife Service said in a press release.
During construction, the trail will be closed from the gate to just before the observation tower and the gravel overflow lot and a portion of the main parking lot will be used as a staging area for the construction crews. Signs will be posted to direct visitors to the open trails.
“Though this portion of the wetland loop will be closed for a long length of time, we are excited to finally reinforce and strengthen the dike against future flood, and reveal the new trail, stairs and fishing platform to our visitors,” the release said.
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