Henry Avenue in Philly just got safer and smarter, all thanks to a hefty federal funding infusion. PennDOT wrapped up a major upgrade on the 3.2-mile stretch between Barnes Street and Port Royal Avenue, as road warriors can expect smoother rides and fewer jolts in their daily commute. A cool $12.8 million, scooped entirely from federal pockets, was invested to ease the traffic tension for the daily average of 29,000 vehicles that trundle along this corridor.
The big revamp brought with it a bunch of high-tech tweaks, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Traffic lights at key intersections now boast new mast arms, controllers, and the merry glow of pedestrian countdown timers. But they didn’t stop there. A red-light warning signal near Port Royal Avenue and a shiny new traffic signal on Barnes Street are raising the bar for intersection safety. And let's not forget the traffic signal timing optimizations that promise to keep things moving, particularly around the Walnut Lane intersection.
Drivers will notice the snazzier and safer road signs, fresher pavement markings, a widened median, and new guide rails – all a part of the quest to tame the once untamed Henry Avenue. To tackle pesky traffic jams, they’ve extended the southbound parking restrictions and got rid of those pesky right turn lanes at Gates Street and Wigard Avenue. Plus, they added a hardened median at Valley Avenue to deter those risky left turns and stretched the northbound left turn lane at Livezey Lane a bit further to ease the flow.
Pedestrians and cyclists haven't been left out of the loop either. They now have a new shared path to enjoy between Barnes Street and Walnut Lane, while sidewalk bump-outs at 15 intersections and ADA-compliant curb ramps are making street crossing safer for everyone. Henry Avenue now has oversized speed limit signs peppered with orange sparkles and electronic-boards that flash your traveling pace. It’s all a part of a grand scheme of calming measures meant to keep the lead-foot brigade in check.
And because mother nature matters, the project included environmentally friendly touches with improved storm drainage and green stormwater infrastructure. Although the main construction mayhem has ended, PennDOT isn’t packing up just yet. They're still finessing those traffic signals and plan to set up additional CCTV to keep an eagle eye on the improved roadway.
