Philadelphia’s long-awaited Chinatown Stitch project—designed to reconnect the historic Chinatown neighborhood by capping the Vine Street Expressway—is still moving ahead, even after a major federal funding setback.

Originally supported by a $150 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, most of that funding was rescinded under a 2025 federal budget law. Despite this, regional and city leaders are now working together to keep the project alive by securing alternative funding sources.

How the Project Is Being Funded Now

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) is coordinating the next phase of the project. To continue progress, planners are assembling $12.5 million from state and local sources:

• $10 million from federally controlled highway reserves administered by PennDOT

• $2.5 million from the City of Philadelphia

This funding will allow the project to complete its final design phase, which is a critical step before construction can begin.

What Is the Chinatown Stitch?

The Chinatown Stitch is a proposed infrastructure and community redevelopment project that would cap a portion of I-676 between 10th and 13th Streets, creating new parkland and potential development space above the highway.

The goal is to:

• Reconnect Chinatown to surrounding neighborhoods

• Reduce noise and pollution from the expressway

• Add green space and pedestrian-friendly areas

• Support long-term community and economic development

The project has been discussed for years as a way to heal the physical divide created when the Vine Street Expressway was built.

What Happens Next?

While the newly secured funds will not cover construction, they ensure the project remains “shovel-ready” once larger funding opportunities become available. Officials will continue seeking state, federal, and private investment to bring the full vision to life.

Despite the loss of federal grant money, city and regional planners remain committed to the project’s long-term success.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 2/6/2026