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 21-foot-wide, ADA accessible pedestrian pathway beneath City Avenue.

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:

• July 2022 - June 2023: City Avenue Utility Relocations
• June 2023 - December 2023: City Avenue Bridge Construction
• December 2023 - February 2024: Interior Work and On-Campus Sitework

09/28/23 Update:

Through 11/10/23 there may be higher than normal noise disturbance due to onsite construction activities.

09/28/23 Update:

There will be a daytime lane restriction occuring Thursday 09/28 and Friday 09/29, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Lane restriction will consist of a Northbound (towards 76) outer lane from Cardinal Ave to 54th Street.

There will be a nighttime lane restriction occuring Thursday 09/28, 9:00 PM into Friday 09/29 5:00 AM.  Lane restriction will consist of a Northbound (towards 76) outer lane from Cardinal Ave to 54th Street.

There will be a continuous (24/7) lane restriction occuring Monday 10/02 through Monday 10/09.  Lane restriction will consist of a Southbound (towards Lancaster Ave) outer lane from Cardinal Ave to Lapsley Lane. 

Lane restrictions will be fluid during this duration, and as such all vehicles and pedestrians are required to follow the temporary maintenance and protection of traffic signage and measures that will be in place.

There are naming opportunities for the pedestrian underpass project. 

• Pedestrian Underpass: $6,000,000
• Walkway Approaching City Avenue: $500,000

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