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The Island Avenue roadway improvements project for the City of Philadelphia was named among the Top 10 Roads for 2024 by the editors of Roads & Bridges magazine. 

This $16.7-million, 1.8-mile project along Island Avenue in southwestern Philadelphia aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality, enhance safety as part of the City’s Vision Zero plan, and upgrade the corridor’s functionality for all modes of transportation. 

Before construction, Island Avenue was on the City’s High Injury Network, including the intersection of Island Avenue and Lindbergh Boulevard on the City's High Crash Locations List due to pedestrian and vehicle crashes. In addition to high crash rates, operational deficiencies, and congestion were identified with the southbound traffic lanes on Island Avenue crossing over Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) trolley tracks between Tanager Place and 76th Street.  

Although Island Avenue is a city street, its presence as a state route providing direct access to I-95 triggered the need for the project to go through the standard PennDOT delivery process and acquire proper approvals from its units, in addition to City reviews. The number of stakeholders involved increased the need for active and engaging coordination.  

JMT lead the design and development of roadway construction plans, lighting plans, and traffic control plans. Our staff also completed geometric design for the new roadway crossover over the SEPTA trolley tracks, relocated to a location with lower traffic volumes. 

Among the many project benefits are: 

• Pavement resurfacing/reconstruction, including new ADA-compliant curb ramps. 

• New accessible pedestrian system pushbuttons, countdown heads, traffic signal heads, backplates, and mast arms; LED street lighting; roadway signage; and pavement markings.  

• New/cleaned inlets and pipes. 

• Four new, fully ADA-compliant SEPTA trolley platforms.  

• A separated multi-use trail and improved multi-modal travel. 

• A community garden and public programming sponsored by the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. 

Roads & Bridges' Top 10 Roads and Bridges awards, established nearly a quarter-century ago, recognize the top projects in North America. Each year, nominations are submitted to the publication's editorial staff, which determines the Top 10 list based on project challenges, impact to the region, and scope of work.