Two Traffic Safety Projects Coming to West Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia will soon begin two complete street safety projects in West Philadelphia that will be constructed this year as part of scheduled PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) repaving. Each project will offer more than 2 miles of increased traffic safety for people who walk, take transit, bike, and drive on those streets.

Both West Chestnut and West Market Streets are on the City’s Vision Zero High Injury Network. The High Injury Network is made up of the 12 percent of city streets that account for 80 percent of serious and fatal traffic crashes in Philadelphia. Streets on the High Injury Network, like West Chestnut and West Market Streets, are prioritized for traffic calming and safety improvements. 

To ensure the new safety improvements on Chestnut Street reflect the experience of our residents, the City’s Office of Complete Streets worked closely with the Cobbs Creek Neighbors Association, the Walnut Hill Community Association, Spruce Hill Community Association, and Garden Court Community Association, three business associations, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, and State Representative Joanna E. McClinton to reach out to residents and stakeholders.

Over 1,700 stakeholders filled out paper and online surveys. The City also carried out corner meetings, virtual and in-person civic meetings, and flyering along the corridor during the Summer and Fall of 2021.

West Chestnut Street

Chestnut Street improvements will include:

• New parking-protected bike lane eastbound on Chestnut Street from 63rd to 45th Street
• Painted pedestrian areas off the northern curb of each block to shorten the pedestrian crossing distance in front of moving vehicle lanes
• Improved and streamlined driver space to discourage weaving and aggressive driving

Chestnut Street from 45th to 34th Street will remain a parking-protected bike lane layout with 2 travel lanes and include some upgrades.

West Market Street

Market Street improvements include newly painted bike lanes in each direction from 30th to 34th Street. Extending the painted bike lanes east to 30th Street will connect West Philadelphia’s major residential and employment hubs to 30th Street Station and Center City.

Next steps

The Office of Complete Streets and the office of Councilmember Gauthier are working closely with food truck owners, the Parking Authority, and SEPTA on the new roadway layout and updated curbside parking and loading regulations. Coordination between these offices, institutions, and businesses will ensure that the new roadway layout will meet the needs of all nearby neighbors and roadway users.

Both projects will occur within the 2022 paving season (typically March – October, weather depending.) The exact timing within the paving season is not yet determined.

 Visit the program page for the Chestnut and Walnut Repaving project for more information.

 View materials and resources for the West Market Repaving and Bike Lane Project.