Pair Of One-Way Streets Into Columbus Boulevard Soon To Become Two-Ways
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia drivers will soon have more places to turn off of Columbus Boulevard.
Two one-way streets, Spruce and Callowhill, are becoming two-way streets near Columbus Boulevard starting November 23. That means northbound drivers on Columbus Boulevard will be able to turn left toward Center City on Spruce and Callowhill, something they can't do now.
It's a project spearheaded by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Vice President for Operations and Development Joe Forkin says right now there's a one-mile stretch between the left turn opportunities at Dock and Spring Garden Streets.
"There's a really large gap from south to north, and the movements you could take," Forkin says. "So Callowhill Street, relieving the traffic along Spring Garden Street, we think is just a huge improvement for traffic flow to and from the waterfront."
Spruce Street would become a two-way street between Columbus Boulevard and 38th Parallel Place near the Korean War Memorial. Callowhill Street would be two-ways between Columbus and Second Street.
The project includes new left turn lanes, signals and pedestrian access.
Work on the $1.3 million project funded by the DRWC has been going on since summer.
Forkin says the added waterfront access is a precursor to one day tearing down the "scissor ramps" connecting Columbus Boulevard to Market and Chestnut Streets to clear the way for possible new Penn's Landing development.