What Weve Learned from the Washington Avenue Year 2 Evaluation Report
The City of Philadelphia's Washington Avenue Repaving and Improvement project, completed in 2023, sought to enhance traffic safety and curbside management along a critical corridor. The Year 2 Evaluation Report reveals no significant change in overall travel times, although some minor fluctuations were noted during peak periods. Excitingly, bicycle traffic increased dramatically, with certain locations seeing a rise of up to 128% in weekday morning volumes. Pedestrian activity also rose, especially on weekends, indicating a positive shift in how residents are using the space. The report further noted that vehicle speeds remained compliant with posted limits, aided by effective traffic signal adjustments.
Updates on Year 1 recommendations for parking and loading operations are included, alongside new safety measures. Looking ahead, the City plans to install bus boarding islands and initiate the Washington Avenue Connector project, enhancing access to the Delaware River Trail. Ongoing monitoring and future crash analyses will ensure the corridor continues to meet the needs of all users.