Monday, December 11th Senator Casey, Fetterman, Congressman Evans and Boyle announced $16.4 million in federal funding for improving pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in historically underserved corridors. With this grant, Philadelphia has received $43 Million in Safe Streets for all funding in 2023 alone as part of the Infrastructure, Investments and Jobs Act. This is another historic victory for the City of Philadelphia further showing the benefits of the Vision Zero Action Plan and the work the office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability (oTIS) has done to receive federal funds.
This award will go towards safety improvements on Old York Road from Erie to Lindley Avenues and along Hunting Park Avenue from Wissahickon Avenue to Roosevelt Boulevard with proposed improvements as part of the “Vision Zero” initiative include transportation infrastructure upgrades separated bicycle-pedestrian side paths, concrete bus islands, and ADA accessibility enhancements, and X box designations to deter parking in bus stops. Additional funding will go towards the City’s Bicycle Capital Plan and bicycle improvement demonstration projects.
This announcement feels especially timely after hosting World Day of Remembrance at Hunting Park and with the increase of fatal and serious injury crashes occurring in this section of the city since 2020.
“The infrastructure law is making our communities safer by funding long-overdue safety projects in our most dangerous corridors,[O(1]” said Senator Casey. “I was proud to advocate for this funding to reduce fatal crashes and make two of the busiest traffic corridors in Philadelphia safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.”
“The bottom line is that we are facing a street safety crisis in America — and in Pennsylvania. The thousands of lives we lose due to unsafe streets is unacceptable, and it’s long past time we in Washington do something about it,” said Senator Fetterman. “This funding will provide Philadelphia with the resources they need to make streets safer for everyone on the roads.”
We look forward to continuing our relationship with oTIS and the Streets Department in the Parker Administration, PennDOT District 6, and Federal partners as this grant and others turn into infrastructure on our roads.
Photo taken by Chris Young, oTIS at the World Day of Remembrance 2023 at the Lil’ Philly Safety Village in Hunting Park.
The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia leads the movement to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride, and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. Right now the Bicycle Coalition is asking 700 folks to join or renew their support for another year to continue that advocacy and education work. More info here.