The Roosevelt Boulevard: Route for Change program aims to create a safe, reliable, and accessible Roosevelt Boulevard in North and Northeast Philadelphia. The program partners include the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and SEPTA.

The Route for Change program will include three major phases:

  • The Boulevard Today – projects to be completed by 2026
  • The Boulevard Tomorrow – traffic safety and transit improvements to be completed by 2029
  • The Boulevard Reimagined – road design and transit services that will change the look and feel of the Boulevard by 2040

How to Get Involved

As part of the Boulevard Today phase, the project team invites the public to participate in an online meeting to learn about Roosevelt Boulevard bus lanes. This meeting will provide an opportunity to speak directly with project representatives about how bus lanes and crossover improvements improve transit service and traffic safety.

Join us: Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 PM for a virtual Public Meeting to discuss installing bus lanes on Roosevelt Boulevard between Bustleton Avenue and Southampton Road.   

What are Bus Lanes? 

Bus lanes provide faster, more reliable SEPTA transit service. This section of Roosevelt Boulevard between Bustleton Avenue and Southampton Riad is served by six SEPTA bus routes (1, 14, 20, 50 67, and Boulevard Direct), which carry nearly 20,000 riders per day. However, buses cannot stay on schedule in the current conditions. Today’s number of late buses doubled when traveling through the portion of Roosevelt Boulevard where bus lanes are proposed.

The lane closest to the curb will be changed to a “bus only” lane. Cars and trucks may enter the lane to make right turns at cross streets and driveways. Most of this curbside area is already signed as “No Stopping.” But right now, on-street parking is allowed in the area between Bustleton Avenue and Rhawn Street. This project will change this area to “No Stopping” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What are Crossover Improvements?

The Roosevelt Boulevard is known for its separated “inner” and “outer” lanes that are connected by “crossover” lanes. Some crossovers can be both confusing and dangerous. This project also proposes to remove two substandard crossovers and create two new, safer crossovers on northbound Roosevelt Boulevard at Knorr Street and Woodhaven Road.

When will this happen?

This bus lane project is fully funded and will be installed in the Fall of 2026. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to OTIS@phila.gov.

For more information, please visit the Roosevelt Boulevard: Route for Change program page.