Saint Joseph’s is prioritizing and moving ahead with achieving a key component of the campus master plan: a pedestrian underpass that will provide a safe and direct connection between the two sides of City Avenue. The project includes the construction of a bridge structure beneath City Avenue to allow for a 21-foot-wide, ADA-accessible pathway, which will be named Post Crossing in honor of distinguished alumnus John R. Post ’60, for his longtime support of the University.

Saint Joseph's faculty, students and staff cross City Avenue to reach their destinations on either side of campus many times per day. The West Philadelphia and Lower Merion communities frequently also use these intersections to gain access to the picturesque campus for recreation. It is common to see people jogging, pushing strollers, and walking dogs across the campus, and ultimately across City Avenue. 

To date the University has already received $6 million in public funding. PennDot and The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have each committed $3 million each to advance this project, as it will impact not just the University but also the surrounding neighborhoods and commuters on City Avenue. 

The construction schedule for the pedestrian underpass:

• COMPLETE: City Avenue Utility Relocations
• June 2023 - April 2024: City Avenue Bridge Construction
• April 2024 - August 2024: Interior Work and On-Campus Sitework

04/24/24 Update:

Bridge erection is currently underway and is scheduled to complete on or before 05/13/24.   

Motorist Impact

During this period, traffic on City Avenue will be restricted to one lane in each direction, from Berwick Road to Orchard Road.  

To accommodate vehicle flow on City Avenue, turning movements to and/or from City and Cardinal will be restricted. Vehicles aiming to turn left onto Cardinal Avenue from City Avenue Southbound (towards Lancaster Avenue) will be directed to detour at 54th Street. Vehicles aiming to turn right onto Cardinal Avenue from City Avenue Northbound (towards 76) will be directed to detour at 59th Street. There are no other planned vehicular restrictions to streets, intersections or driveways.  

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling, and follow all temporary maintenance and protection of traffic signage and measures that will be in place. 
 

Pedestrian Crosswalk Impact

The crosswalk at Cardinal Avenue will remain open during this period. The pedestrian signal, however, will be modified to stop traffic on City Avenue only when the push button is activated.  Please remember to push the button before crossing the street in order to change the traffic lights.

04/24/24 Update:

There are continuous (24/7) lane restrictions consisting of travel being restricted to one lane in each direction, from Berwick Road to Orchard Road through 05/13/24.  Turning movements to and/or from City and Cardinal will be restricted. Vehicles aiming to turn left onto Cardinal Avenue from City Avenue Southbound (towards Lancaster Avenue) will be directed to detour at 54th Street. Vehicles aiming to turn right onto Cardinal Avenue from City Avenue Northbound (towards 76) will be directed to detour at 59th Street. There are no other planned vehicular restrictions to streets, intersections or driveways.  

Designers - Jacobs Engineering

• David Phelan PE
• Ryan Binder PE
• Dominic Marchesano PE

Contractor - A/P Construction:

• Frank Pizzi PE

Noise Consultant - Dayton Services

• Joseph Witman PE