Sound Walls - I-95, Section GR2

October 2012 - Construction of Section GR2 includes installation of sound walls. Residents in the sound wall study area adjacent to I-95 selected the type of walls that will be used. The tallest sections of the walls being installed under GR2 will include clear tops, which will allow more light to reach the street while still blocking the view and deflecting the noise of I-95 traffic. GR2 is the first use of clear top sound walls in Pennsylvania.

Below are conceptual drawings showing how the walls will appear at various locations in the GR2 project area.

Sound Walls at Richmond and Shackamaxon Streets

Sound Walls along Salmon Street

Sound Walls as seen from I-95

Sound Walls with clear tops 

Sound Walls at overpasses

Possible Street Level Improvements

As engineers and planners work toward providing sustainable improvements to the surface roads and underside of I-95 in the vicinity of the Girard Avenue Interchange, below are some ideas for possible improvements that could be made to Delaware Avenue and Richmond Street within the project area.

Delaware Avenue will be improved from Colombia Avenue to Aramingo Avenue by creating a six-lane roadway with a landscaped median, and bicycle lanes and shared-use paths on both sides.

The image below is a cross section image showing the lane configuration on Delaware Avenue.

The image below shows a section of the roadway in perspective. It highlights the different modes of transportation (transit, auto, bicycle, and pedestrian) and the improvements to the stormwater management system through a rain garden in the median, and bio swales adjacent to the sidewalks.

The image below shows the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Columbia Avenue. Some potential improvements include a relocated parking lot with pervious pavement, pedestrian islands in the medians and improved pedestrian access to connections to Penn Treaty Park.

Richmond Street will be improved from Aramingo Avenue to Ann Street. The roadway will taper from six-lanes at the intersection with Aramingo Avenue to a two-lane roadway where Richmond Street intersects with Cumberland Street.

The image below is a cross section showing the lane configuration of Richmond Street between Cumberland Street and Ann Street. It will be a two-lane roadway with a center turn lane, and bicycle lanes and shared use paths on both sides.

The image below shows a section of the roadway in perspective. Trolley and automobiles would share each travel lane. There is a continuous turn lane that will allow for easy turning movement, as well as bike lanes in both directions to help cyclists travel from Ann Street south to Delaware Avenue and beyond.

Go here to download a detailed graphic of the GIR project and how it relates to city streets, buildings, etc.