Market Street bridge closed till … when?!; COVID exhibit; Spelling Bee winner

Market Street river bridge to close for over a year for reconstruction

A $149 million reconstruction of the Market Street bridge over the Schuylkill River and I-76 will begin this month and eventually close the road to cars for more than a year, starting in August 2026.

Eventually the bridge will get a two-way, concrete-separated bike lane with a bicycle signal light on its western end, but first it will close the Schuylkill Expressway and cause a lot of disruption. Continue reading…

A designer’s rendering of what the Market Street bridge over the Schuylkill River will look like after a PennDOT reconstruction project is completed. (Benesch/PennDOT)

New exhibit reflects on five years of COVID-19

The Mütter Museum’s “Trusted Messengers” exhibit honors healthcare workers, community members and public officials who worked to build trust in the medical community during a time of crisis and uncertainty.

The exhibition is all in one open room, meant for reflection. Its four walls contain timelines, photographs of healthcare workers, public health messaging videos and art, info on local scientists’ development of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, and historical items. Continue reading…

The exhibition contains photographs from the early pandemic (Photo by Heather Chin/Billy Penn)

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights in Philly is one of seven such offices to be shut down nationally by the Trump admin. The office oversees five states and is responsible for the enforcement of laws around discrimination cases based on sex and race, as well as shared ancestry, and those involving disabilities. [Inquirer$]

• SEPTA adds designated areas to park strollers on six bus routes. [PhillyVoice]

• A Philly fifth-grader earned an invite to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, for second year in a row, after winning the regional competition. [Billy Penn]

• Photo essay: St. Patrick’s Day parade celebrates … in Eagles green. [Billy Penn]

• The Streets Department has begun installing “pedestrian refuge islands” along Chestnut Street in West Philly. The construction work began this week. [West Philly Local]

• ACCT Philly is holding an emergency adoption event amid overcrowding crisis at animal shelter, offering $10 adoptions for all dogs and cats through March 23. [6ABC]

• Philly’s Mexican Indigenous communities celebrate the Mexica New Year. [WHYY]

Philly DA Race

Philadelphia DA election:
What you need to know about the Democratic primary candidates
Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 20

Candidate appearances:

Recap of Larry Krasner and Pat Dugan’s first town hall on March 11.
Tuesday, March 18: RAD District Attorney Candidate Endorsement Meeting
Riverwards Area Democrats host a virtual meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. Both candidates will speak for 20 minutes and answer questions from attendees. RSVP to receive the Zoom link via email.
Thursday, March 20 at 6:45 p.m.: Candidate Forum
Hosted by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, the Philadelphia Crosstown Coalition, and the SUN. At String Theory School, located at 1600 Vine Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The forum will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

MAYOR WATCH

The mayor has no public appearances scheduled for Monday.

ON THE CALENDAR

👭🏽 Women’s History Month events in Philly
🙌🏽 WHYY Civic News Conference – April 4

🗣️ Monday, March 17: Immigrant Philadelphia: A Portrait of a Re-Emerging Gateway City
Penn hosts Pew Charitable Trusts experts to discuss Philly’s relationship with immigrants and economic growth. Free. (12 to 1 p.m.)

🎶 Monday, March 17: Flute & Piano Recital: Women’s History Month by Block/Henderson Duo
For Women’s History Month, Renae Block and Linda Henderson present a free performance of music written and/or arranged by female composers. Free with registration. (12 p.m.)

🍃 Tuesday, March 18: Sustainability in Motion
Ready to help solve Philly’s biggest sustainability challenges? Join Green Philly at the Discovery Center for an interactive event to collaborate with like-minded individuals and take a dive deep into local issues, from waste reduction to climate change. $15 suggested donation. (6 to 8 p.m.)

🏹 Tuesday, March 18: Hunger Games: Launch and Learn with Philly Archery
Learn to shoot like Katniss and take home the new “Hunger Games” book. $60 tickets include a copy of “Sunrise at the Reaping” and an archery lesson at Philly Archery. (6:30 to 8 p.m.)

🐈 Tuesday, March 18: Yoga with Cats
For $20 ($15 online; $5 at the door), enjoy a 45-minute, hatha-style yoga class at Le Cat Cafe amongst our furry friends and a 30-minute visit at the cafe. All levels of experience are welcome. To reserve your spot, go to lecatcafe.org/scheduling then select Yoga with Cats. (6:30 to 7:45 p.m.)

🚶🏼‍♀️ Friday, March 21: Early Signs of Spring Hike
Meet at Bells Mill Road and Forbidden Drive to take a walk in search of Skunk Cabbage and other early emerging plants insects. Free with RSVP. (5 to 6:30 p.m.)

🎨 Friday, March 21: ARTOON NETWORK: The Cartoon Art Show
The Cartoon Art Show stops in Philly! $30 tickets. (8 p.m. to midnight)

🚋 Ongoing: A Deeply Rooted Trolley Tour by Harriett’s Bookshop
Kick off this series of three-hour, hop-on/hop-off Saturday tours that celebrate local food, culture, history, music and deeply rooted tradition with visits to new and seasoned spaces throughout Philadelphia. $50 tickets. (11 a.m. and various other times)