PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney today proposed historic investments in streets as part of the City’s Fiscal Year 2020 Budget, Five-Year Plan, and Capital Program.

“The complaint I hear most often from our residents — and I’m certain you hear it as well — is about the condition of our streets,” said Mayor Jim Kenney during today’s budget address. “Our constituents will be pleased to hear that our Administration is committed to improving Philadelphia’s roadways.”

Vision Zero
With a goal of promoting traffic safety and eliminating all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries by 2030, the City will continue implementing citywide safety improvements as outlined in the City’s Vision Zero Three-Year Action Plan. With a proposed $14 million included in the Capital Program, the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) and the Streets Department will focus on redesigning streets to slow the pace of traffic, among other safety measures, in consultation with residents.

Repaving
City streets and roadways must be resurfaced and maintained at optimal intervals to maintain a state of good repair for Philadelphia’s street network, allowing those who live in or visit Philadelphia to travel safely and expediently. Operating and capital investments will enable the City to hire a third paving crew to reach the goal of resurfacing and paving 131 miles annually by FY23. With a capital program cost of more than $200 million, this represents the single largest investment in the Capital Program.

Street Sweeping
In addition to improving the condition of city streets, the Kenney Administration is proposing a $2.3 million annual investment in street cleaning to reduce litter on the City’s streets and sidewalks. In the spring of 2019, this program will be piloted in several neighborhoods that were identified through the Litter Index as being among the dirtiest in the city. The Administration also proposes additional funding of $250,000 annually for the Commerce Department to increase cleaning on commercial corridors.

Fleet Upgrades
The timely delivery of City services such as trash collection and fire response is heavily dependent on having the necessary vehicles available. The Capital Program and the Five Year Plan include funding for the purchase of additional ambulances, ladders, pumpers, trash compactors and street sweeping vehicles, which will help to reduce the average age of the City’s fleet and improve vehicle availability.

The Mayor’s Budget Address, Operating and Capital Budgets, and Proposed FY19-24 Five Year Plan are available here.