Project Overview
Counties: Philadelphia, Bucks
State Route: U.S. Route 1
Local Name: Roosevelt Boulevard
Project Type: Corridor Improvement including studies, roadway reconstruction, safety enhancements, transit service improvements, and other construction activities
Contracts: Several projects to reconstruct and improve U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard)
PennDOT, the City of Philadelphia, and SEPTA are partnering to build a series of roadway and transit improvements on Roosevelt Boulevard (US 1) from Broad Street (Route 611) to Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, Bucks County. The efforts include both near and long-term improvements to improve safety, accessibility, and travel time reliability. You will find more information below on each project along the corridor.
The Route for Change report was developed as a blueprint for improvements along Roosevelt Boulevard in North and Northeast Philadelphia. The goals are:
- Reduce speeding, crashes, and deaths
- Improve SEPTA service and ridership
- Improve safety for pedestrians and bicycles
- Plan for major long-term changes to the look and feel of Roosevelt Boulevard
The Route for Change program is divided into 3 phases:
- The Boulevard Today: Immediate traffic safety and SEPTA bus service improvements to be completed in key locations by 2026.
- The Boulevard Tomorrow: Major traffic safety and SEPTA bus service improvements to be completed along the full length of the Boulevard by 2029.
- The Boulevard Reimagined: A study to choose a new roadway design and SEPTA service that changes the look and feel of the Boulevard by 2040.
Contact Information
Automated speed enforcement cameras are in place to enforce speed limits on Roosevelt Blvd. A February 2024 study found that the cameras have reduced crashes involving pedestrians by 50%. It is estimated that the cameras saved 36 lives between June 2020 and February 2023.
Status: Installation Complete
This project will improve safety for people walking and driving at the Roosevelt Blvd and Summerdale Ave/Adams Ave intersection. Improvements include new signals, road striping, traffic patterns, and shorter crossing distances.
Status: Construction Complete
This project will increase safety for people walking, driving, and taking the bus at five crossovers (roadway connections between the inner and outer lanes) on Roosevelt Blvd between Cottman Ave and Red Lion Rd. The crossover locations are:
- Revere/Faunce St
- Strahle St
- Winchester Ave
- Michener St
- Fulmer St
Status: In Final Design
The SEPTA Direct Bus service connects Frankford Transportation Center (FTC) to Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem, Bucks County. It has fewer stops, a faster ride, and high-quality stations. Service will be expanded to Wissahickon Transportation Center (WTC) in Manayunk, and new stations will be constructed along Roosevelt Blvd and Hunting Park Ave.
Status: Construction to begin in Fall 2024
This is a major traffic safety and transit improvement project along the full length of Roosevelt Blvd. This project will be split into two sections. New improvements include the following:
- Traffic signals
- Pedestrian signals
- Pedestrian islands
- Crosswalks
- Shorter pedestrian crossing distances
- Sidewalks
- Bike lanes
- Lane changes to improve safety and traffic flow
- Bus-only lanes (BAT lanes)
- Bus shelters and benches
- Trees and landscaping
- Low walls, bollards, public art
Status: In Preliminary Engineering
This is a major traffic safety and transit improvement project along the full length of Roosevelt Blvd. This project will be split into two sections. New improvements include the following:
- Traffic signals
- Pedestrian signals
- Pedestrian islands
- Crosswalks
- Shorter pedestrian crossing distances
- Sidewalks
- Bike lanes
- Lane changes to improve safety and traffic flow
- Bus-only lanes (BAT lanes)
- Bus shelters and benches
- Trees and landscaping
- Low walls, bollards, public art
Status: In Preliminary Engineering
This project will include the design of Business Access and Transit (BAT) lanes, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, corridor access management, intersection and roadway modifications, pavement marking, traffic control, and traffic signal modifications along Roosevelt Boulevard.
Status: In Preliminary Engineering
This project will study and select a new roadway design and SEPTA service for Roosevelt Blvd. Once the “locally preferred alternative” is selected, PennDOT, the City of Philadelphia, and SEPTA will conduct more detailed studies and identify a mix of federal and local funding to build it.
Roadway options include:
- Neighborhood boulevard
- Partially-capped expressway
SEPTA service options include:
- Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Light Rail Transit (LRT
- Subway
Status: In Concept Development
Accessibility
The project documents will be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation and/or interpretation services, have special needs or concerns that require individual attention, contact the PennDOT Project Manager.