Credit: City of Philadelphia
Officials from PennDOT, SEPTA, and the City of Philadelphia are collaborating on an ambitious plan to transform Roosevelt Boulevard, and that could mean changes in Bucks County.
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Roosevelt Boulevard, which is part of Route 1, stretches from Bensalem Township through Philadelphia and has been a problematic route for commuters to and from Bucks County for decades. The multi-lane roadway was first completed in 1914 and extended into Bucks County post-World War II.
According to PennDOT data, Roosevelt Boulevard is responsible for 10 percent of all traffic fatalities in Philadelphia.
A joint study dubbed “Route for Change: The Boulevard Reimagined” aims to overhaul the corridor with new roadway designs and enhanced SEPTA transit services, including potentially extending the Broad Street Line subway or introducing a light rail system that runs into Bensalem Township.
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The project’s objectives focus on improving safety, accessibility, and reliability for all users, including pedestrians, and promoting economic opportunities through improved connectivity to local communities, according to PennDOT.
Several design alternatives are under consideration:
- Alternative 1A: Partially Capped Expressway with Light Rail Transit (LRT)
- Alternative 1B: Partially Capped Expressway with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
- Alternative 2A: Neighborhood Boulevard with LRT
- Alternative 2B: Neighborhood Boulevard with BRT
- Alternative 3: Partially Capped Expressway with Subway
- Alternative 4: Neighborhood Boulevard with Subway
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Each alternative proposes different transit solutions to alleviate the corridor’s long-standing issues with congestion and safety. The light rail and subway options suggest two potential stations in Bensalem Township with routes terminating at Neshaminy Mall, which is slated to undergo redevelopment.
The need for improved transit solutions follow years of traffic complaints in Lower Bucks County and in the city.
Despite access to highways, SEPTA Regional Rail lines, and buses in Lower Bucks County, planners and municipal leaders have also looked for new ways to tackle traffic.
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Plans for a subway extension have been discussed since as early as 1913. A study was performed in 2003 and there has been renewed interest since 2020.
Funding remains a significant challenge, with cost estimates for the proposed upgrades ranging from $1.9 billion to $15.8 billion, according to recent PennDOT figures.
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Public input is a key part of the planning process. PennDOT and SEPTA are hosting two upcoming virtual meetings to gather community feedback and discuss the potential impacts of the proposed changes:
- Wednesday, January 29, 6:30 p.m.: A virtual Town Hall will focus on roadway and transit impacts, incorporating insights from recent open houses. For more information, click here.
- Monday, February 3, 6:30 p.m.: A Transit Talk will provide a detailed look at the SEPTA options under consideration. For more information, click here.
For additional details and to participate in the ongoing survey, residents can visit the PennDOT’s “2040 Alternatives to Transform the Boulevard” website.
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