PHILADELPHIA – As part of a repaving and improvement project set for 2021, the City today announced it is seeking resident feedback on three redesign plans for Washington Avenue from 4th Street to Grays Ferry Avenue.

Because of guidelines put in place by the Department of Public Health under COVID-19, in-person open houses and meetings are not currently permitted. Therefore, the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS) is seeking resident feedback through multiple mediums including an online survey, phone, text messages, email, and direct mail.

“Over the years, the City has heard many things about Washington Avenue from neighbors and businesses,” said Deputy Managing Director Michael Carroll. “In particular about issues with paving, safety, parking, crossing the street, and riding a bicycle on Washington Avenue.”

Through studies, the City found that there were 254 crashes on Washington Avenue between 2012 and 2018. Four people died in these crashes, and six other people were seriously injured. The City also performed traffic analysis to see what would work and what would not work.

“We took what we heard, and we looked at Washington Avenue today,” said Deputy Managing Director Carroll. “We used that analysis to come up with several layout options for Washington Avenue. All three options would make Washington Avenue a safer, more functional roadway than it is today.”

The project will use committed federal funds and will focus on improving Washington Avenue for everyone by:

  • Creating a smoother street
  • Creating safer and shorter pedestrian crossings
  • Improving parking and loading
  • Improving protection between bicycles and moving traffic
  • Reducing speeding and maintaining steady traffic flow
  • Improving SEPTA Route 64 bus stops

Providing Feedback on Changes to Washington Avenue: The City is seeking input on three design options spanning from 4th Street to Grays Ferry Avenue.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to watch a series of short videos (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese) explaining the details of all three layout options. They also explain the planned parking and loading changes.

After watching the videos, there are multiple ways residents can provide input on the three layout options:

The City will review all input received in order to help select the future roadway layout for Washington Avenue.

Note: The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is working on a large project between Columbus Boulevard and 4th Street. The City will re-pave those blocks, but the roadway layout there is part of that approved project.

Additional Information and Visuals

About the Office of Complete Streets

The Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (oTIS) coordinates the implementation of Complete Streets policies in Philadelphia. Complete Streets are designed to ensure safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders. The City’s Complete Streets policy was introduced in 2009 and requires a review of every construction project’s impact on roads, sidewalks, and the bicycle and transit network to ensure that all affected streets adhere to the City policy. This policy improves safety, promotes economic development, reduces congestion, and encourages active transportation. Under the Complete Streets program, oTIS manages the City’s parklet, bike corral, and pedestrian plaza programs.

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