PHILADELPHIA – Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams announced today that construction activities will commence on the Island Avenue Improvement Project, beginning the week of April 17^th.  The two-year long project will occur along Island Avenue from Woodland to Bartram Avenues. Construction will be occurring in multiple stages to maintain traffic and to minimize impacts to adjacent properties along the Island Avenue corridor.  Motorists should allow for additional travel time, as there will be one lane of traffic maintained through the work area.  Motorists can also expect to encounter changed traffic patterns throughout this area.

Beginning the week of April 17th, the contractor will commence the first phase of the project by installing temporary concrete barriers along the Island Avenue median areas, from Woodland to Bartram Avenues, in order to establish a protected work zone. The contractor will also begin installing drainage work such as inlets and lateral sewer connections, as well as demolition of the existing curb and roadway along the median.  Septa will also be working within the work zone to reconstruct the trolley tracks in the proposed roadway crossover area.

Overall, the Island Avenue Improvement Project will include traffic signal improvements, roadway resurfacing and line striping, the addition of grass medians and bicycle lanes, ADA improvements, reconstruction of trolley platforms, intersection upgrades, and other miscellaneous construction.  This work is being performed to improve motorist, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety along the corridor.  

Construction will be performed by Tony DePaul and Son Contractors.  The value of the construction contract is $16.7M and is being funded using federal funds.  Work is expected to be completed by Fall 2025.

The Streets Department thanks area citizens for their efforts and involvement during the design phase of this project. It also thanks citizens in advance for their patience and cooperation during the upcoming construction phase.