Washington Avenue Connector

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 improving Washington Avenue 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 roadways for pedestrians, bicycles, and public use to make the roadway safer, more accessible, and more beautiful. Since then, DRWC has been diligently designing, permitting, and fundraising for project implementation.

This project is a joint effort between DRWC and the City of Philadelphia Street Department. The City bid on the project in Spring 2024 and is now contracting with the selected contractor. Concurrently, DRWC is bringing a firm to handle the project's construction management and inspection services. Construction can begin once those two firms are in place. DRWC anticipates a 15-18 construction period, but this can change after the contractor is on board and a more detailed schedule is developed. DRWC will be engaging with affected communities in the coming months to address construction questions, and we will create a plan for ongoing community construction updates. Continue to check back to this page for the latest news.

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. The plans shorten the crossing widths along and across the corridor wherever possible.

The following table summarizes these shortened distances:

The following will also be designed in conjunction with the corridor improvements:

Bicycle enhancements: These are designed to integrate with the newly completed Delaware River Trail along Columbus Boulevard and the City’s plans for a redesigned Washington Avenue from 26th Street to 4th Street. DRWC’s project will include a westbound parking-protected bike and a curb-separated, multi-use path on the south side of the Avenue.
Vehicle enhancements: DRWC will mill, resurface, and restripe Washington Avenue from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard according to City-approved and PennDOT-approved designs. New traffic signals will also be installed as a part of the project to enable better signal timing across the corridor.

Additional landscape investments, trees, raised planters, benches, and tables are planned for the public spaces at either end of the corridor. As more funding becomes available, DRWC intends to add additional trees and amenities along the stretch.

For questions about the Washington Avenue Connector project, email WAC@drwc.org.