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.

Improvements I-95/GIR1-5

The size, cost and complexity of the improvements to the Girard Avenue Interchange and adjoining sections of I-95 require that the remaining project be constructed in five separate phases. GR1 through GR5 are being designed so that their sequencing proceeds logically from one to the next, minimizing traffic and economic impacts.

I-95/GR1: This phase includes all major utility work and most of the surface street improvements and relocations, including work on Delaware Avenue, Richmond Street, Aramingo Avenue and Girard Avenue. A temporary detour road, for use during work at the interchange in later phases, also will be constructed through Conrail’s Port Richmond Yard. GR1 also will include work on the Girard Avenue trolley bridge, replacement of the bridges carrying Conrail over relocated Richmond Street, and replacement of associated retaining walls along Richmond Street and the detour road. SEPTA’s Route 15 trolley also will be re-routed during this phase.GR1 is projected for construction in 2011.

I-95/GR2 through I-95/GR5: The mainline of I-95 and the interchange ramps at Girard Avenue will be reconstructed under these four phases. I-95 will be widened and reconstructed to add a fifth, continuous off-on lane between  interchanges and to provide wider shoulders for improved safety. Minor ramp work also will take place at the Allegheny Avenue and Vine Street interchanges.