Matt Wysong, of the city Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability, visited the recent Lawncrest Community Association meeting.
Wysong is program coordinator for Roosevelt Boulevard. He noted that the latest studies show Broad Street surpassing the Boulevard as the most dangerous road in Philadelphia.
Wysong is a fan of the speed cameras on the Boulevard.
“They are saving lives,” he said. “That’s the bottom line.”
Wysong said the crossing time has been increased for pedestrians on the Boulevard. Perhaps the easiest intersection to cross the Boulevard is at Cottman Avenue due to the underpass.
Wysong said vehicle crossover lanes will be extended to make the maneuver safer.
The federal government has provided $78 million for the Boulevard Tomorrow initiative. Construction could begin as soon as 2027. Improvements will include additional time to make left turns and trees and plants in the medians and along the sidewalks of the outer lanes.
The Boulevard Reimagined will bring improvements by 2040, though funding has not yet been secured.
One possible roadway design is a partially capped expressway, like Vine Street, with four expressway lanes at 50 mph and four local outer lanes at 25 mph.
The other option is a Neighborhood Boulevard, like the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with four inner lanes and four local outer lanes, all at 25 mph.
There are three possible transit modes – bus rapid transit, light rail transit and a subway, with a spur near Erie Avenue.
LCA members had various concerns, including a lack of parking near the proposed transit stops and not enough crossovers on the Boulevard.
In other news from the Feb. 20 meeting:
• Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, thanked residents for dropping off food at the district in the days after the airplane crash near the Roosevelt Mall.
Mroz estimated there were 500 people at Five Points after the Eagles won the NFC title and 1,000 fans following the Super Bowl victory.
• State Rep. Anthony Bellmon and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle will sponsor a community shredding event on Saturday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road. Call Bellmon’s office at 215-560-1315.
• Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel will hold a town hall on Thursday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home.
• Heather Miller is the new Democratic leader of the 35th Ward, succeeding longtime ward leader Bill Dolbow.
• There were representatives from the offices of state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, City Councilman Anthony Phillips and state Rep. Anthony Bellmon.
• Lawncrest Library, closed since August 2023 for renovations, is finally expected to reopen in April, months behind schedule.
• New Beginners Adult Day Center is at 6423 Rising Sun Ave. All services are free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Free door-to-door transportation is available. Call 267-470-1600 or visit smhcare.com.
• The group observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Jan. 31 airplane crash on Cottman Avenue.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Wednesday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. A representative from the city Department of Revenue will discuss property tax relief. Following the meeting, there will be a meeting of the Lawncrest 4th of July Committee. ••
