The FY23-28 Capital Program includes the largest investment of City tax-supported funding to increase efficiency and safety of Philadelphia’s streets

PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney today proposed continued investments in better streets to increase efficiency, safety and mobility as part of the City’s FY23-28 Capital Program, FY23 Budget and Five-Year Plan.

To increase efficiency, the FY23-28 Capital Budget for the Streets Department programs $27 million for paving/reconstruction of streets and ADA ramps in FY23 and $173 million over the life of the Capital Program. In addition, $34.8 million of new tax supported dollars for SEPTA will leverage funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The FY23-28 Capital Budget also allocates $17.7 million for traffic control improvements and $2.1 million alone in FY23, in support of the Vision Zero initiative, to make the city’s streets safer for all users.

These Capital investments will be accompanied by the following operational funding:

  • $1.5 million for the Streets Department in new funding in FY23 to add specialized City crews to build ADA ramps, as a cost-effective approach to meeting the City’s obligations for accessibility for all.
  • The mechanical cleaning program will expand to eight new neighborhoods for a total of 14; six areas will have restricted parking requiring the relocation of vehicles.
  • A $2 million investment to stand up additional crews to respond to illegal dumping.
  • A $7 million investment to sustain the Taking Care of Business commercial corridor cleaning initiative in FY23, led by the Department of Commerce.

“As in past years, the largest investment in the Six-Year Program of City tax-supported funding continues to be increasing the efficiency and safety of our streets — with $27 million in FY23 alone for reconstruction of ADA ramps and repaving,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Additionally, we continue to invest in making streets safer for all users by investing in our Vision Zero initiative.”

The budget allocates half of City-supported general obligation borrowing for FY23 to projects that make the city’s streets safer, cleaner, and more accessible for all of Philadelphia’s residents, businesses, and visitors. Proposed improvements include:

  • Reconstruction/Resurfacing and Installation of ADA Ramps – The FY23 Capital Budget calls for an infusion of $27 million in street paving which will allow the Streets Department to pave 60 miles of City streets and the construction of approximately 3,717 accessible ramps. The City will also engage professional services firms to assist with prioritizing ADA work throughout the City.
  • Sanitation – The Sanitation Division is receiving $3 million in FY23 to complete the upgraded waste processing systems at the Northwest Transfer Station in Roxborough.
  • Vision Zero – $2.1 million dollars in FY23 for Vision Zero to fund critical improvements to make streets safer for all users. These projects include:
    • Washington Avenue safety improvements (Grays Ferry Avenue – 4th Street); This is a safety project that includes pedestrian improvements near school crossings, parking protected bike lanes along 18 blocks, new pavement, and traffic timing upgrades.
    • Safety improvements around Overbrook Educational Center, which has 300 students, 27 percent of whom are visually impaired. Improvements include traffic calming including speed cushions, concrete bump-outs to help people crossing, corner clearances and pavement markings, signage upgrades, and LED lighting upgrades at intersections.
    • Safety improvements on West Chestnut Street including traffic calming and parking protected bike lanes (63rd Street – 45th Street)
    • Bike lanes on Market Street (30th Street – 34th Street)
    • Parkside Avenue Vision Zero Corridor Project which will include Parkside Avenue intersection improvements (52nd Street), a new signal at 51st Street and bus boarding islands
    • Major intersection safety upgrades stemming from the Roosevelt Boulevard Route for Change program at Summerdale, Adams, and Roosevelt Boulevard Intersection improvements, new sidewalk along Franklin square, and upgrades to the existing protected bike lane between 8th and 6th for the Franklin Square Pedestrian Access Project
    • Roundabout installation at the intersection of 20th, Penrose, Moyamensing to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Improving Transit –  The proposed capital budget includes $5.5 million in new City funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA). This funding will also leverage $288 million in grant funds. Projects will improve transit infrastructure, vehicles, communications, and payment technologies, providing improved reliability and safety for Philadelphia riders throughout the city and region. The City’s contribution to SEPTA’s investment is a required match for state and federal funding.

The Mayor’s Budget Address, Operating and Capital Budgets, and Proposed FY23-27 Five Year Plan are available here.

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