U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) – 2040 Alternatives to Transform the Boulevard

Counties: Philadelphia, Bucks

State Route: U.S. 1 

Local Name: Roosevelt Boulevard

Project Type: Roadway Improvement Project

In conjunction with the City of Philadelphia and SEPTA, PennDOT has initiated additional studies to refine the 2040 Alternatives to Transform the Boulevard. This study will identify a long-term vision to transform Roosevelt Boulevard by enhancing safety, accessibility, and reliability along Roosevelt Boulevard, for all users including pedestrians by supporting local and regional travel needs, changing land use patterns, and enhancing connectivity and mobility to local communities, while promoting economic opportunities. Roadway configuration changes and implementation of high-quality transit service (and potential transit station locations) along Roosevelt Boulevard are critical improvement components necessary to directly address the purpose and needs of the long-term project.

The initial phase of the study (Phase A) has been previously completed by the City of Philadelphia.  In the next phase (Phase B) of the 2040 Alternatives Study, the Department has initiated a two-tiered evaluation process that will be used to select a preferred alternative (combined roadway configuration option and high-quality transit option) for Roosevelt Boulevard.

A screening study (Tier 1 Analysis) will further refine the two “general” 2040 roadway alternatives initially identified with three transit options to create six “specific” alternatives; compare and analyze the six specific alternatives; and recommend three of the six specific alternatives for more comprehensive analysis.

For reference, the two high-level 2040 roadway alternatives initially identified in Phase A of the Route for Change study included:

• Alternative 1 = Partially Capped Expressway with Surface Transit (Light Rail or BRT)
• Alternative 2 = Neighborhood Boulevard with Surface Transit (Light Rail or BRT)

As part of this Phase B full 2040 Alternatives Analysis, 4 additional alternatives likely to be considered include:

• Alternative 3 = Partially Capped Expressway with Subway
• Alternative 4 = Neighborhood Boulevard with Subway
• Alternative 5 = Blended Roadway Configuration with Surface Transit (Light Rail or BRT)
• Alternative 6 = Blended Roadway Configuration with Subway

Screening criteria (e.g., ridership) will be developed to select three alternatives for additional analysis in Tier 2. This task includes public outreach to present the ridership forecast results and obtain feedback on the six alternatives.

Completion of Tier 1 analysis with a public engagement is expected in late 2024.

The Tier 2 Analysis will follow, in which the project team will evaluate the three alternatives that result from the Tier 1 Analysis. The project will update and refine the subarea Travel Demand Model for the corridor to reflect the current traffic situation. The Tier 2 Analysis will include the following to develop a Recommended Alternative:

• Operational modeling (analyzing traffic operations at ramp locations for the Capped/ Partially Capped Expressway)
• Safety modeling (IHSDM) - The methodologies of the Highway Safety Manual (HSM) predictive safety analysis will be performed on up to three (3) build alternatives at each of the study's two (2) locations.
• Environmental screening (including development of a Purpose and Need Statement)
• STOPS forecasts; and
• Capital Cost Estimates, including Operation and Maintenance (O&M)

Completion of the Tier 2 analysis with the Recommended Alternative is anticipated in 2025.