PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A SEPTA improvement project has begun on a portion of Broad Street in South Philly, and will keep a lane of that street closed for about a year and a half.
SEPTA said it will be making improvements to the Tasker-Morris Subway Station along the Broad Street Line, causing the traffic restrictions.
One lane of northbound Broad Street on the block between Morris and Tasker streets will be shut down through spring of 2024.
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Drivers are advised to allow for extra time or choose a different route to avoid the area.
SEPTA said the project schedule would be subject to weather conditions.
'We have to put up with this'
Shirley Davis, who lives in the neighborhood, is all for making the subway more accessible. But she takes the bus at that corner daily, and her main issue involves how there is no clear detour notification.
“If I take a bus, I have to go all over town or walk so many blocks in order to get there, and then when you get on the bus they don’t tell you where they’re detouring to,” said Davis.
She said she is fed up because construction is complicating her commute, whether she takes the bus or drives, because of parking.
“It’s just horrible,” Davis said. “It’s all over South Philly. You have to drive around until you find a spot.”
Rocco Rago said the project is already making existing parking problems worse for him.
“I live on Tasker Street, and I had to park all the way in the middle of Broad Street last night. They’re gonna eliminate parking on this block. Where are these people gonna park?” said Rago.
“We have to put up with this. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do.”
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Andrew runs Food Point, which is south of the corner of Broad and Morris streets. He said area businesses will be impacted because parking is already limited.
“They’re closing a couple of streets and lots of offices here, doctors’ offices, clinics, a (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) health center across the street,” said Andrew. “It’s going to be rough.”
Christin, who works in the area, says she supports making public spaces more accessible, but neighborhood improvements sometimes mean growing pains.
“Sounds like a pain, but I support elevators in the subway,” Christin said.
“My tip: Get a small car and squeeze into the spots others can’t squeeze into.”
Davis said she’s a team player, and she’ll grin and bear it.
“Gotta work your way around the whole mess,” she said.