Title
Authorizing the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to examine the impacts of and funding alternatives for an extension of the existing Broad Street Subway Line into the underserved Northeast along the Roosevelt Boulevard.
Body
WHEREAS, on Sunday, June 11, 2023, a fire underneath I95 caused a major collapse of the highway, sending thousands into a panic with limited viable alternative transit options to get from the Northeast to Center City; and
WHEREAS, Greater Northeast Philadelphia is one of the most underserved parts of the City and Nation when it comes to public transportation; and
WHEREAS, The idea of a heavy rail system to serve the largest geographic area of the City with over half a million residents began nearly 110 years ago in 1914; and
WHEREAS, Over the following 100 years progress began and stopped, repeatedly; and
WHEREAS, In 1964, funding was allocated and a station was constructed at Adams Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, The advantages of building the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway stem from the existence of a median in the middle of the boulevard left undeveloped and prime for rail infrastructure to be built; and
WHEREAS, The housing surrounding the Roosevelt Boulevard is dense and optimal to be served by rapid transit; and
WHEREAS, The Boulevard Extension would add over 100,000 daily riders to a public transportation system that continuously espouses the need to increase ridership; and
WHEREAS, Residents without a car must spend at least an hour using current transit alternatives to get to the employment-rich Center City; and
WHEREAS, The Roosevelt Boulevard Subway alternative would offer access to Center City for two dollars, within 30 minutes, with metro-level frequency; and
WHEREAS, The Roosevelt Boulevard is one of the most dangerous and deadly sections of road in the country; and
WHEREAS, Removing thousands of cars from the roads would improve driver and pedestrian safety, ...
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