Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania seeks to widen I-83 in York County, but funds for the costly project would be better spent on operational improvements such as crash prevention. Image: PennDOT

Boondoggle: Keystone State’s 1-83 Expansion

By Gideon Weissman and Matthew Casale | Jun 27, 2019 | 6 Comments

Pennsylvania is moving forward with a plan to spend $300 million in order to widen I-83 in York County to eight lanes from four. But project documents fail to show how the project will solve any problems or bring clear benefits to the region.

This stretch of State Street in Harrisburg is the most dangerous in the country. Photo: Google Maps

A Fix for the Most Dangerous Street in America

By Angie Schmitt | Nov 26, 2018 | 41 Comments

Harrisburg's State Street is insanely dangerous. The city has a good plan to fix it. Will the state stand in the way?

Pennsylvania’s massive project to widen 470 miles of highway could threaten funding for transit services throughout the state. Image: li2nmd, CC-BY-4.0

Highway Boondoggles: Pennsylvania Turnpike Expansion

By Matt Casale and Gideon Weissman | Jul 6, 2018 | 10 Comments

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is hemorrhaging money. The state's transit riders could end up footing the bill for its expansion.

Philadelphia's 12-lane Roosevelt Boulevard is a death trap.

Philadelphia’s Boulevard of Death

By Angie Schmitt | Feb 12, 2018 | 47 Comments

If we're going to reduce traffic deaths, we need to start with roads like Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia.

Hundreds of teenagers on bikes took over a freeway in the center of Philadelphia last weekend. How did it happen? Screencap via jinxedstore/Instagram

The Backstory and Aftermath of Philly’s Teen Bicycle Freeway Takeover

By Stephen Miller | Apr 28, 2017 | 50 Comments

Perhaps you saw video on social media this week showing hundreds of teenagers riding bikes, popping wheelies on a Philadelphia expressway. It was an unauthorized freeway takeover that ought to have brought a smile to even the sourest face.

A driver struck and killed cyclist Dennis Flanagan on West Carson Street in Pittsburgh, which the state DOT had reconstructed without incorporating the safety features that local residents wanted. Photo: Bike PGH

What If State DOTs Listened to Cities Before Starting Urban Projects?

By Angie Schmitt | Feb 24, 2017 | 3 Comments

It's not uncommon for bitter disputes to develop when state DOTs come into urban neighborhoods and start making changes to state-controlled streets. Pennsylvania DOT has a different idea: Rather than just muscle everything through, the agency will incorporate local ideas before engineering and design work gets started.

Show More Stories