Philadelphia’s ‘Chinatown Stitch’ project threatened by federal funding cuts

Philadelphia’s $160 million “Chinatown Stitch” project, designed to heal the neighborhood divided decades ago by the Vine Street Expressway, now faces uncertainty as House Republicans propose eliminating billions in federal infrastructure funding.

The latest: A House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposal aims to cut “unobligated” funding from dozens of nationwide infrastructure projects — including Chinatown Stitch — as part of a budget reconciliation process pushed by the Trump administration. This would target over $3 billion allocated for reconnecting communities divided by transportation infrastructure. “We’re sort of at their mercy,” Councilmember Mark Squilla, who represents Chinatown, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Nothing is cut at this point — there haven’t been any votes — and we’re going to continue to move forward.”

Why the project matters: The initiative would cap two and a half blocks between 10th and 13th streets along I-676, creating green space and enhancing pedestrian safety in an area disrupted by the expressway’s original construction. In March 2024, the project secured a $158 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program. At the time, former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) emphasized the project’s purpose “to reconnect Chinatown decades after residents suffered the consequences of harmful infrastructure decisions.”

What’s next: Construction was originally projected to begin in 2027, but the timeline now hinges on congressional budget decisions. Despite funding uncertainties, Philadelphia officials continue gathering community input through pop-up meetings. John Chin, executive director of project partner Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation, expressed concern about the potential funding cuts. “All of this is very alarming,” he told Axios, describing it as another challenge “outside our control” and one that “reduces our ability to be successful.”