About the Project

Preliminary Alternatives

Local Alternatives to be studied include:
Widen Vine Street between 7th and 9th Streets (pdf) with the addition of one lane to westbound Vine Street to provide three lanes of traffic. This alternative will be studied based upon capacity and construction criteria.

A Flyover Ramp from Ben Franklin Bridge to I-676 Westbound (pdf) would provide a direct connection between the bridge and I-676 westbound, thereby reducing the backup at the 8th Street intersection. It will be important to study historic, social and cultural resources issues when evaluating this alternative.

Traffic Signal System Improvements (pdf) will be considered as the team will examine demand responsive signal systems and/or traffic signal re-timing throughout the study area.

Improve Off Ramp from Westbound I-676 to Broad Street (pdf) is an alternative that considers the addition of a second lane to the off ramp for increased capacity. The team will study the effect increasing lane storage would have on traffic signal operations at 15th and Vine Streets. Also to be studied is the effect of providing a direct connection to Callowhill Street.

Congestion Pricing involves the use of variable toll costs to manage roadway demand. These tolling strategies have been implemented in other areas throughout the United States and internationally in an effort to encourage motorists to change travel times to non-peak hours.

Local/Regional Alternative:
Real-time Travel Information Systems (pdf) will be examined on a regional application, as well as locally. These systems would provide motorists with accurate up-to-the-minute information on the current travel time to their destination. This technology allows motorists to choose the most efficient route to take. Real-time travel systems could include various elements, such as: Variable Message Boards; Highway Advisory Radio; Communications tools to assist travelers to better plan routes of travel in advance; websites; DRPA e-Alert system and Department of Transportation (DOT) operated 511 telephone systems.

Regional Alternative:
A Walt Whitman Bridge Slip Ramp (pdf) is another regional alternative to be studied. This alternative involves a direct connection from I-95 southbound to I-76 westbound. Potential traffic diversion from I-676 will be studied in conjunction with this alternative.