checked out the new sidewalk

Today it was 75, bright and sunny. Did I mention it's still February in Pennsylvania? I called Bonnie and asked her if she wanted to walk. She had already gone out. No excuse to use the car. Had to pick someplace in town.

Where to go? That's when I realized I need to get a life. A new sidewalk gets me excited. I put on my Birks and hit the concrete. (My feet are starting to look like moms. Gross. Arthritis in my freaking toes. Lucky me. My Birk days might be over soon.)

I went up my street to Delaware and headed towards the bridges. It was there I discovered spring bursting out all over. Including daffodils breaking grounds and blooming crocuses.


I crossed at Third and New and headed across the bridge. It's been open about a week for traffic, and a couple days for pedestrians. The other half of the bridge is now being torn down.

The first thing I noticed is the horrible tunnel is gone. That was creepy at best. What's really cool is several attempts have been made at putting art in it. I doubt if the filled it, so if it's uncovered during the next renovation, what will they find? I would have put stuff in there like a time capsule.

The next thing I noticed were these brass disks. They are embedded into the sidewalk and are a good 10 inches in diameter.  Each direction they are facing you for half the bridge. The north side ones are facing south. 

Here it is. You can see the disks in this picture. What you can't see is that the higher part of the side-rail is over the railroad tracks, not the river. Interesting. The north side end is brick to match the bricks on the Center Street hill. The southside is all concrete.

You also can't see that the stairs aren't done. These are the stairs to Sand Island. I think the ones at Second Avenue are a little further along. The landings are round.  There is also an open area in the side-rail directly facing the blast furnace. I wonder if there are going to make a little step-aside to do photography. That area is always cluttered with shutterbugs and selfie takers.

This sign was at the skateboard shop on Fourth Street. I don't know, it felt pretty much like spring, actually close to summer, today.

Miles/Steps: About 4
Bathrooms:  none used
Wildlife:       none
Weather:     Early spring!
Extra:          Lots of people out enjoying the day. I was rarely alone waiting to cross the street.