Next phase of Washington Avenue revamp begins
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Soon you can walk and bike along a newly redesigned stretch of Washington Avenue. Photo courtesy of the City of Philadelphia/Langan
The redesign of Washington Avenue in South Philly is in its final stretch.
Why it matters: The revamp aims to improve pedestrian safety along one of the city's most dangerous roadways.
The big picture: Philadelphia has been redesigning Washington Avenue, which stretches nearly from river to river, for years.
- A renovation spanning from Grays Ferry to 4th Street — completed in 2023 — reduced traffic lanes and made safety enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Driving the news: The new project kicks off $9.5 million in improvements this week along about a half-mile span between 4th Street and Columbus Boulevard.
- The roadway refresh, a collaboration between the city and Delaware River Waterfront Corp., will include a connection to the Delaware River Trail.
- Construction will run through next spring.
🚧 Road closures: Expect travel delays during the project. Temporary lane closures are planned.
- Look out for temporary parking restrictions posted along the route, too.
Context: The project includes the section of the four-lane roadway that cuts between Queen Village and Pennsport neighborhoods.
- Homes, apartment buildings, businesses, Jefferson Square and the Mummers Museum run alongside the project area.
The project includes:
🚶For pedestrians: New curb bump-outs at intersections, which shorten crossing distances.
- ADA-compliant ramps
- Improved lighting and new trees and landscaping.
- Four new concrete pedestrian islands in the center median.
🚴🏽 For bicyclists: A new parking-protected bike lane.
- A bi-directional path for biking and walking.
🚗 For drivers: The roadway will be resurfaced and repaved.
- Improvements to traffic signals.
What's next: The city is expected to install bus boarding islands along Washington Avenue east of Broad Street starting next year.