Solomon calls for Roosevelt Boulevard Subway
Rep. Jared G. Solomon December 13, 2024 | 2:35 PM
Standing at the high crash intersection of Front Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, state Rep. Jared Solomon was joined by advocates to share a recent study which shows daily ridership numbers at over 75,000.
“I hear from community members that Roosevelt Boulevard is just not safe," Solomon said. “Lives lost, thousands of accidents, and many injured- we need change to make the boulevard safer.
“A rapid transit option will improve quality-of-life by cutting down on traffic congestion, connecting us to the rest of the city and our surrounding counties, and improve job opportunities. The Transit Cost Program at NYU Marron, who completed the study, provides the ridership projections that should prompt state and city officials to act on making the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway a reliable option for traveling in Northeast Philadelphia.
“We have a chance to be innovative in uplifting the Northeast. A direct connection to the rest of the city via subway would be a great investment for the small businesses, create new businesses, and connect us to healthcare and educational opportunities,” Solomon said.
Jay Arzu, a city planning doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, has spearheaded efforts to show people the benefits of the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.
“PennDOT has an extraordinary opportunity to make the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway its locally preferred alternative, not as a luxury, but as a necessity for our city's economic vitality, environmental resilience, and social cohesion,” Azru said. “Imagine a Northeast Philadelphia where daily commuters are no longer stuck in traffic, wasting time and productivity, but are instead seamlessly connected to the heart of the city by a fast, safe and modern Metro line.”