Action Item
Date Prepared: 09/11/2025Agenda Item:
5e. Bellwether District Master Study (MPMS #118010), City of Philadelphia – Add New Project to the TIP
Background/Analysis/Issues:
PennDOT has requested that DVRPC amend the FFY2025 TIP for Pennsylvania by adding a new project to the TIP, the Bellwether District Master Study (MPMS #118010), in the total amount of $800,000 ($100,000 s581/$700,000 LOC) for the STUDY Phase in FY25. These are additional funds to the region.
The purpose of the Bellwether District Master Study (the Study) is to identify potential operational and safety improvements to the study area, including the 34th Street corridor, considering the additional volumes expected to be generated by the full build out of the Bellwether District Innovation Campus and the Pennovation development. The Study will present the potential improvements and recommendations to PennDOT and the City of Philadelphia for further evaluation, consideration, and progression to design as appropriate. The actual design and construction of any potential improvements identified, their delivery timing, and source of funding will be a topic of future coordination between the Bellwether District, Pennovation, PennDOT, and the City of Philadelphia. This study will be completed in close coordination with Stantec, in their capacity as Traffic Engineer and Representative for Pennovation/University of Pennsylvania. This supplementary study is expected to have no impact on the ongoing design and schedule of the Bellwether District Innovation Phase 1 permitting. It will serve as a basis of future Transportation Impact Studies that will guide the development of both campuses of the Bellwether District.
Financial Constraint:
Financial constraint will be maintained as these are additional and external funds to DVRPC’s Core funding.
Conformity Finding:
The TIP's current conformity finding will not be impacted by this amendment as this project is exempt from air quality analysis.
Cost and Source of Funds:
$800,000 ($100,000 s581/$700,000 LOC)
Action Proposed:
The DVRPC Board approves TIP Action PA25-064, PennDOT’s request that DVRPC amend the FFY2025 TIP for Pennsylvania by adding a new project to the TIP, the Bellwether District Master Study (MPMS #118010), in the total amount of $800,000 ($100,000 s581/$700,000 LOC) for the STUDY Phase in FY25.