One of the busiest stretches in Northeast Philly, Roosevelt Boulevard, is in the spotlight with PennDOT’s big plans to reimagine it.
And if you’ve ever driven on that 15-mile maze of traffic, you know it’s time for change.
Aside from easing congestion, the boulevard must be safer, more efficient, and less stressful for everyone.
Thus, PennDOT and SEPTA are teaming up to hear what the public says about their long-term ideas.
They have six options on the table, and the first public meeting is already happening.
Here’s when and where they’re happening:
- Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to noon at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent Street
- Monday, Dec. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. at Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast, 2400 Old Lincoln Highway
- Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6 to 8 p.m. at New Life Philly Church, 425 E. Roosevelt Boulevard
- Tuesday, Jan. 7, 6 to 8 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2068 Red Lion Road
In essence, the meetings will allow people to check out six different redesign ideas.
They’ll be laid out with displays to help everyone see how the changes might look and work.
And PennDOT is making sure city officials and SEPTA reps are there to answer questions and listen to ideas, too.
The options boil down to two main styles:
- The Neighborhood Boulevard plan will keep most changes at the street level. Think of something like the Benjamin Franklin Parkway but for Roosevelt Boulevard. It would have faster express lanes and slower ones for local traffic. They’re also talking about adding green spaces for safety and maybe a light rail or rapid bus lane right in the middle.
- The Capped Roadway idea is a bit more ambitious. Picture something like the Vine Street Expressway with overpasses. They’d build new intersections above the traffic lanes, so fewer spots would cross over the boulevard’s 12 lanes. The express lanes would dip below ground, while local and transit lines would stay at street level.
The big showstopper, though, is the idea of adding a subway.
No matter if they choose the neighborhood boulevard or capped roadway design, the subway would run underground with station entrances at street level.
It’s the most expensive option, but it could completely transform how people travel in Northeast Philly.
Here’s how the numbers stack up:
- A subway would cost $11.6 billion for the neighborhood boulevard model and $15.8 billion for the capped version. It’s a jaw-dropper, but it could handle about 62,000 daily trips.
- Light rail would cost $5.6 billion with the neighborhood plan and $9.7 billion for the capped roadway. Ridership estimates are solid, between 36,500 and 56,400 daily trips.
- Rapid bus service is the budget-friendly choice at $1.9 billion for the neighborhood boulevard or $5.8 billion for the capped design. And it could carry 31,000 to 38,500 riders a day.
But the funding is a bit of a puzzle at the moment.
SEPTA officials have acknowledged their tight budget, and this project will require significant financial support from multiple sources to get rolling.
Roosevelt Boulevard has a reputation—it’s one of the city’s most dangerous and congested roads.
And PennDOT wants to change that.
They’re looking for ways to reduce accidents, improve transit options, and make pedestrians and cyclists safer.
Not to mention, the project also focuses on connecting Northeast Philly better with the rest of the city.
For example, a Northeast Philly subway line has been a dream for decades, and momentum has been building.
Extending the Broad Street Line by 12 miles and linking it to the Market-Frankford Line could transform travel for this area.
It could pull thousands of cars off the road and offer a faster, smoother commute for residents and visitors alike.
PennDOT’s broader “Route for Change” plan has three phases:
- The Boulevard Today: Quick fixes like better traffic signals and improved SEPTA bus service by 2026.
- The Boulevard Tomorrow: Bigger safety and transit upgrades across the whole stretch by 2029.
- The Boulevard Reimagined: The long-term redesign, including a subway or light rail, will be fully realized by 2040.
Undoubtedly, a safer, faster, and more reliable transit option could improve commute times and property values in Northeast Philly.
Along with the meetings, there’s an online survey where residents can weigh in.
PennDOT will use the feedback to pick a preferred design by 2026.
After that, they’ll dive into environmental studies and preliminary engineering before construction begins.
While it might feel like 2040 is a long way off, projects like this take time.
The ultimate goal is to create a Roosevelt Boulevard that works for everyone—drivers, bikers, pedestrians, and transit riders alike.
Thus, if you have thoughts on the future of this iconic Philly road, now’s your chance to speak up and help shape what’s next.
