As most of us who use I-95 in the Delaware Valley know, it can be a congestion nightmare. PennDot and PhilDot have teamed up to introduce project: 'Powerphul Pedals' which plans to ease the superhighway's traffic woes.
The Center City portion of the highway, between Girard Avenue to the north and Washington Avenue to the south, will feature bicycle lanes starting in November of this year.
"We're excited, they're excited, the whole thing is exciting," said Dave Ropensen, Head Poet Laureate for PennDot.
The plan calls for a total of 4 bicycle-only lanes, two each going north and south. The lanes will not occupy the shoulders of the highway, as originally planned, but will be placed between the vehicular traffic lanes.
"The idea is to keep the shoulders open for automobiles experiencing mechanical difficulties or for police activity," explained Joanne Develvet, intern engineer at PhilDot.
Cyclists will access the lanes by using the existing auto on-ramps then crossing up to four lanes of traffic. In some places I-95 is twelve lanes wide. If a cyclist wants to access the highway where no on-ramp exists, strategically placed ladders will be installed to allow the rider to ascend or descend to the road surface from a side street.
"A rider can climb up the ladder, while holding the bike, and over the sound wall and down the other side. We wanted maximum access for bikers," said Helton Moore, head of the non-profit 'Bikers Without Borders.'
The Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition called the plan "momentous in a time when there are not a lot of momentous things." Local riders were thrilled about the idea. "I'm beaming as it'll allow me to traverse the city north-south faster than ever," said Sarah McSmith of Olde City.
Philadelphia, which has one of the strongest bicycle cultures in the nation, hinted that the Schuylkill Expressway could be bicycle-friendly by 2012 if Project Powerphul Pedals is successful.
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