The Washington Avenue Connector is an exciting street enhancement that DRWC is developing to provide a safer, greener Washington Avenue that better connects the residents and visitors of South Philadelphia to the Delaware River Waterfront.
In 2018, DRWC unveiled concepts for the improvements to Washington Avenue that were based on close coordination with project stakeholders and community input. The vision for the project, which encompasses Washington Avenue from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard, involves repurposing excess roadway for pedestrians, bicycles, and public use in order to make the roadway safer, more accessible, and more beautiful. Since then, DRWC has been diligently designing, permitting, and fundraising for project implementation.
With costs for the 2018 concepts in the $10M range, DRWC has been designing and fundraising for a feasible scope of work that realizes the community’s vision for Washington Avenue. DRWC is currently securing the final approvals for this initial phase of work, anticipated to cost approximately $5M, with the intent to start construction in 2023 if the necessary funding is in place.
Phase 1 upgrades will include:
- New curb (with curb bump-outs at intersections) and ADA ramps
- Multi-use path and sidewalk along the southern side
- Reduced crossing widths and four new center median islands
- Removal of slip lane from 4th Street to 3rd Street ( at Jefferson Square Park) and under I-95
- Improvements to Washington Avenue and Columbus Boulevard intersection, including a connection between the multi-use path and the Delaware River Trail
- Parking-protected westbound bike lane
- Traffic signal improvements
- Pedestrian lighting
- New trees and landscaping
- Repaving Washington Avenue from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard
The upgrades to Washington Avenue prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety along and across Washington Avenue. At four (4) locations, concrete pedestrian islands will be installed in the center median. Wherever possible, the plans shorten the crossing widths along and across the corridor.
The following table summarizes these shortened distances: