The Hub 3/18/2021: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Feet First Philly, Philadelphia’s pedestrian advocacy group sponsored by Clean Air Council, launched its #FundSidewalks campaign. We are requesting the Mayor add funding for sidewalks to this year’s budget. Take this action and tell the City of Philadelphia and Mayor Kenney to fund sidewalks like they fund streets.
BillyPenn: Philly Is Expanding Street Sweeping In April – Philly’s street sweeping pilot program that was launched in 2019 is starting back up in April. This year’s street sweeping season will run from Monday 4/4 – Wednesday 11/30 between 9 am and 3 pm; Monday through Thursday excluding official holidays.
PlanPhilly: Montgomery, Chester, And Berks Counties Consider A New Passenger Rail Authority – These three counties are taking steps to create a Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority. This aims to reconnect Reading, Phoenixville, Pottstown, Norristown, and Philadelphia. Community inputs will begin in late April in the three counties – Montgomery, Chester, and Berks.
BillyPenn: Riders Are Getting Trapped In SEPTA’s Rail Station – During the pandemic transit ridership decreased and Philly’s unhoused population increasingly used SEPTA’s tunnels as shelters. To reduce such usage, SEPTA closed access points of huge sectors of the underground. But, these closures have caused massive disruptions in riders’ schedule and comfort level as they try to navigate SEPTA’s underground maze looking for an open exit.
The Inquirer: The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Sank Millions Into A New Towing Headquarters – The PPA spent over $3.6 million on building renovations, construction consultants, and office furniture for a new Towing Headquarters. This same headquarters is now abandoned as workers were shuttled out one month after moving in due to unresolved plumbing problems. There is no timeline for the PPA to return to the site which is in a 10-year minimum lease.
StreetsBlog USA: Megacar Drivers More Likely To Hit Walker While Turning – A new study finds that SUVs and pick-up truck drivers are three to four times more likely to hit pedestrians while turning. These vehicle designs make it impossible for drivers to see pedestrians. Vehicle designs need improvement, along with road infrastructure and speed limits.
Image Source: PlanPhilly
