Improved Dilworth Plaza in Philadelphia, part of an America built to last

When a community uses a $15 million DOT TIGER grant to launch a $50 million project to improve transit connections for millions of passengers each year, the public wins. And when that project creates jobs at a time they are needed most, that adds even more reasons to celebrate a smart federal investment capturing a city’s local vision. 

So, yesterday in Philadelphia's Dilworth Plaza, that's exactly what we did, breaking ground on a major transit center and sustainable open space where Philadelphia’s hardworking residents and visitors can take a break.  It's a terrific example of the kind of project our TIGER program was meant to support.

Signing the granite cornerstone with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

The renovation of Dilworth Plaza will substantially improve commuting into Philadelphia's Center City by upgrading connections and accessibility in and around the City Hall transit hub.  For passengers riding SEPTA's regional commuter rail and subway, New Jersey's PATCO rail, Amtrak, and area trolleys and buses, the frustration of transfering between networks has been infamous. For passengers with disabilities, accessibility challenges have added to that frustration. The Dilworth Plaza and City Hall station enhancements will make it significantly easier for all riders to get where they're going using the many public transit options Philadelphia offers.

President Obama challenged us in his State of the Union address to build an economy that works for everyone.  And with the work now underway, Dilworth Plaza will meet that challenge. 

But all across America, there is work to be done on projects like this in communities that just can't wait.  So today, DOT announced the availability of $500 million in funding that Congress authorized for TIGER 2012.

The previous three rounds of the TIGER program have provided $2.6 billion to 172 projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.  Demand for the program has been overwhelming, and during the previous three rounds, we received more than 3,300 applications requesting more than $95 billion for projects across the country.

TIGER 2012 provides for up to $100 million to be used for high speed and intercity passenger rail.  It also provides $120 million for rural transportation projects. All projects will be evaluated on primary criteria that include safety, economic competitiveness, livability, environmental sustainability, state of repair and short-term job creation.

It's simple: the President wants to put our friends and neighbors back to work building a stronger foundation for an economy that lasts.  When completed, the improved Dilworth Plaza and City Hall station will add to that foundation.  The TIGER 2012 projects will become part of that foundation, too. 

We've got work to do improving our nation’s transit centers, highways, railways, airports and ports.  And we've got people ready to do that work.  Now is the time; let's get busy.

Comments

[Dan]

The new design looks pretty for Dilworth is pretty innovative. Hopfully, it will be a catalyst for more growth.

[D]

i read the U>S transportation comments on Air Tran Airways
staff behavior toward diabled passengers. i travelled to Brazil 2/3 years ago, and was refused a wheelcahir despite a bad hip, knee and other pain which i was experiencing, their staff came look at me with a w/chair and refused my call for help. i cried half of the way and prayed until i could get to my medicatin. the staff member was rough and uncaring. i vough not to travel to sth America again.I wrote to them when i got home but no one even had the good manners to reply.

[marbel]

There are certainly a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith.

[Luxury Hotel]

Great article, it's about time we invest on our infrastructure and put Americans back to work. The Tiger project seems to be on the right track, let hope all aspect of the economy can recover very soon. Keep up the good work...

[Alex S.]

That's a real improved innovative design for the Plaza, could be a good start for more infrastructures like that, let's hope these enhancements are really built to last.