PHILADELPHIA, PA — On Monday, U.S. Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman, along with U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans and Brendan Boyle, unveiled a $16.4 million federal funding package for Philadelphia. This vital funding will enhance safety measures on some of the city’s most dangerous corridors, focusing especially on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Two high-injury corridors, Old York Road from Erie to Lindley Avenues and Hunting Park Avenue from Wissahickon Avenue to Roosevelt Boulevard, have been earmarked for major safety upgrades. A portion of the funding will also support the City’s Bicycle Capital Plan and bicycle improvement demonstration projects.
Senator Casey said, “The infrastructure law is making our communities safer by funding long-overdue safety projects in our most dangerous corridors.” He added that he was proud to advocate for the funding aimed at reducing fatal crashes and making two of Philadelphia’s busiest traffic corridors safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Highlighting the urgent need for improved street safety, Senator Fetterman stated, “The bottom line is that we are facing a street safety crisis in America — and in Pennsylvania. The thousands of lives lost due to unsafe streets is unacceptable.”
Representatives Evans and Boyle echoed these sentiments, with Boyle emphasizing that “Infrastructure funding is not just about building bridges and highways. This funding program will serve to make our city streets safer for many who use them every day.”
The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It will enable Philadelphia to upgrade infrastructure in historically underserved communities, which have suffered from a lack of investment in roads and safety features.
Proposed improvements as part of the “Vision Zero” initiative include separated bicycle-pedestrian side paths, concrete bus islands, and ADA accessibility enhancements. The plans also include X box designations to deter parking in bus stops.
Mayor Jim Kenney expressed his gratitude for the efforts to secure the grant and highlighted the administration’s focus on revitalizing underserved communities and creating safer neighborhoods. He noted, “Over the course of this administration, we have been able to land more than $200 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funded grants. This is a tremendous accomplishment that will be felt for years to come as projects become reality.”
With this latest award, Philadelphia has received $46.4 million in Safe Streets funding in 2023 alone, marking a significant step towards addressing the street safety crisis and promoting active, eco-friendly transportation alternatives.
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