American Street today with about 84 ft of roadway and 34 ft of sidewalk. Unused railroad tracks line the center of the road.
Do you think that American Street in Lower Kensington would be a great place for protected bike lanes?
The City of Philadelphia has received federal funding to make major improvements along American Street, between Girard and Indiana Avenues. The project will include streetscape improvements from the Streets Department and Green City, Clean Waters green infrastructure improvements from Philadelphia Water.
Many of the corridor improvements will be driven by stormwater retention and redevelopment. Philadelphia is a city of narrow streets so the allocation of space for bicycles can be difficult and contentious. But the width of American Street between Girard and Lehigh is exceptional. You would think proposing a protected bike lane would be obvious but early renderings from the City suggest otherwise.
Early renderings showing a conventional door zone bike lane.
As you can see in our proposed streetmix there is plenty of room for curb or planter protected bike lanes, parking and stormwater mitigation. American St is a key connector in the bike plan protected bike lane would fill a gap in the bike network.
BCGP’s Proposal for planter or curb separated bike lanes.
Open House Details:
Wednesday, July 20, 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Pan American Academy Charter School (Cafeteria)
2380 N. American Street (Map)
Tuesday, July 26, 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Crane Arts
1400 N. American Street (Map)
Light refreshments will be provided. Spanish translation will be provided; please see a team member for assistance. For more information on this project, please contact: AmericanStStreetscape@gmail.com