Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) announced seven of the transportation and infrastructure projects she proposed to receive federal funding and benefit her district, totaling $20,800,000, have been included in the House’s surface transportation reauthorization bill, the INVEST in America Act. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) will mark up the bill on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

This spring, the T&I Committee provided the opportunity for members of Congress to submit highway or transit project requests for their districts in the surface transportation reauthorization bill. This process allowed members to work with local governments, transit agencies, or state departments of transportation to identify and put forward high-impact local infrastructure projects.

“I’m proud to highlight the inclusion of seven projects we proposed to benefit PA-05 in the INVEST in America Act,” said Rep. Scanlon. “These projects represent smart and long-overdue investments in our local infrastructure. The repairs, upgrades, and expansions that federal dollars could facilitate will translate directly into jobs and economic activity, as well as improved accessibility and better road safety. I look forward to swift passage of the INVEST in America Act so we can get this much-needed funding into our communities as soon as possible.”

The INVEST in America Act includes the following projects submitted by Rep. Scanlon:

Cobbs Creek Parkway Multimodal Safety Improvements, Larchwood Avenue to 67th Street: $2,000,000

The Cobbs Creek Parkway is a state highway that physically separates residential neighborhoods in West and Southwest Philadelphia from one of the city’s largest park systems — including the four-mile, federally-funded Cobbs Creek Trail. The Trail will connect to the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge and is a piece of the East Coast Greenway, which connects 15 states from Maine to Florida. This project would include the design and construction of up to five new, safe pedestrian crossings including state-of-the-art features, such as rapid flashing beacons, refuge islands, high-visibility pavement markings, raised crosswalks, full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, improved lighting, and other traffic calming features. 

This project was submitted as a coordinated request with Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03); Rep. Scanlon requested $1.2 million and Rep. Evans requested $800,000 for a total of $2 million. 

Main Street Grade Crossing in Darby Borough: $1,000,000

The Main Street-CSX rail line grade crossing in Darby Borough is the only grade crossing in the nation where an active freight rail line crosses an active fixed-rail transit line. Vehicular and pedestrian movement through the intersection pose significant safety concerns. The project would improve the roadway, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and warning devices, including new traffic signals and crossing gates for motorists and pedestrians — ultimately reducing injuries and deaths in this low-income, minority community.

SEPTA Platform Rehabilitation Project at PHL Airport: $1,205,000

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is one of the largest economic engines in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Prior to the pandemic, PHL annually served more than 30 million passengers. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Airport Line is one of the main access points to PHL, serving 2.5 million people annually before the pandemic. Appropriately maintaining this asset is vital to the region. The City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation has identified several deficient conditions with the SEPTA Platforms at PHL since the last upgrade 18 years ago, which would be addressed with this funding. 

69th Street Transportation Center Master Plan: $1,600,000

SEPTA’s 69th Street Transportation Center Master Plan will study, evaluate, and choose solutions for modernizing, expanding, and improving one of SEPTA’s major transit hubs. The 69th Street Transportation Center is integral to three SEPTA projects of regional significance — King of Prussia Rail, Trolley Modernization, and Comprehensive Bus Network Redesign. It is a key terminal for SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line, Norristown High-Speed Line, Route 101 and 102 trolleys, and 17 bus routes.

The project will enable SEPTA to plan for and anticipate future growth, improve accessibility, and encourage transit-oriented development while meeting the goals of Upper Darby Township, the newly formed Friends of the Tower Theater District, and Delaware County.

Marcus Hook Regional Rail Station Accessibility Improvements: $11,250,000

SEPTA will refurbish Marcus Hook station on the Wilmington/Newark Regional Rail Line to be fully accessible. This project would entail the design, then construction of new high-level platforms with passenger ramps between the platforms and street level. Completion of this project will make Marcus Hook Station compliant with the ADA. High-level platforms will further facilitate quicker, easier access for 1,132 average boards and leaves there every day, and support SEPTA’s emerging Regional Rail Master Plan, which will call for improvements to the value and convenience of traveling on the Regional Rail network.

Upper Darby Walnut Street Multimodal Connectivity Project: $745,000

Upper Darby is developing a community center at 7000 Walnut Street in a dense urban area of the township. The community center is located between 69th Street and Garrett Road, which are major thoroughfares within the township. The roads connect to the SEPTA 69th Street Transportation Center and the surrounding neighborhoods, respectively. This section of Walnut Street is in need of bicycle and pedestrian improvements to increase connectivity within the township.

The project will provide a safe multimodal street that connects to existing major corridors in Upper Darby. It will include bike lanes, curb bump outs, ADA-accessible curb ramps, and pedestrian traffic signals. Upper Darby will also incorporate rain gardens into the concrete bump out and street trees to improve air quality. 

PHL Airport Bike Lanes: $3,000,000

Implementing a protected bike connection will improve safety, sustainability, and access to jobs and recreation. The project area includes West Passyunk Avenue, from 61st Street to Essington Avenue, and Bartram Avenue, from Essington Avenue to Island Avenue. The current street configuration is obsolete and fails to serve residents and road users safely. Speeding traffic, inadequate crosswalks, and accessibility constraints create unsafe road conditions, particularly for bicyclists. 

Adding a low-cost, zero emission, and high comfort bicycle connection allows area residents and residents from South Philadelphia to access major employers along the corridor — including Philadelphia International Airport — and provides a connection to recreation at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

The INVEST in America Act, is a transformative five-year, $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes selected Member Designated Projects. More detailed information about the INVEST in America Act, including bill text, fact sheet, and section-by-section summary, can be found here.

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