Some Cretans removed the pole last year, and Fairmount park folks quickly replaced the hole with the block to prevent the access to cars. It would be nice to have the pole back in place, but I'm afraid that those bent on gaining vehicular access would just break the lock that holds the pole in place again.

04/25/2013 Here’s another pic of this dangerous bureaucratic/design blunder. The dangers include two near ninety degree un-marked turns for cyclists through a narrow gap, on cobble stones with a manhole cover thrown into the mix. Even the posts are painted gray instead of yellow for better visibility.

Better yet, the photo shows the previously mentioned existing hole for a removable bollard that would solve most of the problem. So would it be possible to remove the concrete barrier, use a removable bollard with a stronger lock, add some signage, and paint the poles bright yellow?

This is a textbook example of poor design and execution along with a total lack of common sense – your tax dollars at work (assuming you pay taxes).

This is still not fixed. Please please fix this. Someone is going to crash into this barricade.

08/30/2013 Concrete barrier is still there, but now the “CLOSED” signs slow things down. BTW, the SEPTA work on the RR crossing is almost finished, and the SEPTA workers were allowing path users to cross on a temporary wooden walkway in front of the old Shawmont station.

Still there....

You can always stop your bike, get off and walk around it. That's what I do. And it seems to work well enough.

Valleygreen, That's probably a smart move. If you crashed on something like this you could easily fracture your hip.

As of 11/19/2022, the concrete barrier was finally moved back at an angle to allow safer passage. Possibly this was related to the work being done at the upper lock #68 by the water department. The canal path remains open so far.

https://water.phila.gov/projects/all/flat-rock-dam-betterment/
https://roxboroughmanayunkconservancy.org/new-sluice-house