Mayor Jim Kenney shared a breakdown of his proposed budget, and here are more details on his plans for safer and cleaner streets.
The proposed budget includes allocating a third of the city-supported general obligation borrowing for FY21 to improve the streets. Additionally, the city wants to make the city street more accessible to visitors, businesses and residents, according to a release.
“The single largest capital investment continues to be addressing the quality of our streets — to the tune of $52.1 million this year, and $335.6 million over six years,” Kenney said in a release. “Moving our roadways towards a state of good repair remains a top priority, and we’ll invest $240 million in the street paving alone over the next six years.”
Below is a breakdown of the proposed improvements stated in a release:
Paving and installation of ADA ramps
- $32.6 million in tax-supported funds is planned for resurfacing streets and the construction of ramps.
- Overall, the total is $240.1 million in the FY21-26 Capital Program
- This is the single largest investment in the Capital Program
Vision Zero
- The city is proposing $2 million for safety projects.
- One of the programs seeks to improve infrastructure at Stephen Girard Elementary School and Southwark School.
- New traffic signals and crosswalks, line striping, sidewalk repairs, countdown timers and storm improvements at the intersection of Frankford Avenue and Belgrade Street.
- They will be installing bump-outs, expanded sidewalks and pedestrian refuge islands across Race Street and into Franklin Square.
- They will also be constructing the South Broad Street side path. The path will be from Navy Yard to Pattison Avenue in South Philadelphia.
Improving transit
- SEPTA is proposing a program that calls for $4.7 million in funds.
- The funds will leverage $242.6 million in grants for the FY21.
- Some projects include improving vehicles, transit infrastructure, communications and payment tech.
- They are planning on improving reliability and safety for riders.
- SEPTA’s investment is a required match for state and federal funding.
Upgrades to sanitation sites
- $4 million to improve the city’s Sanitation Convenience Centers.
Bridge restoration
- They are proposing $1.4 million for the city’s match for bridge, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects.
- Some of these projects include Montgomery Avenue Bridge over Amtrak at 30th Street, 59th Street Bridge over Amtrak, Falls Road Bridge, Tabor Road Bridge over Tacony Creek, 30th Street Viaduct over 30th Street and MLK Drive over Schuylkill River.
