The proposal is as simple as it is audacious: squeeze two lanes where an access strip sits now, between the plaza and the westbound lanes coming off of the bridge, to feed traffic towards New Jersey, and then remove the three lanes on 6th Street that wrap around the plaza today. The redesign would provide direct traffic flow to the bridge, a straight approach for trucks and allow 6th Street to go from six lanes to four – one of the lanes would still provide indirect access to the bridge, via Race and 5th Streets. With fewer lanes on 6th, signalized pedestrian crossings could be installed, and the three-lane onramp that currently loops around the plaza could be replaced with greenery.

“Our hope is to make it a more welcoming area and more connected to the fabric of the city,” said Tammy Lehigh DeMent, Associate Director of Landscape Initiatives at PHS. OLIN, which also helped redesign Dilworth Park, prepared the conceptual designs.

The project is part of the Civic Landscapes Initiative’s Vine Street project, dubbed the “Zipper”. PHS hopes to use landscaping along Vine Street to better connect the Delaware River’s waterfront with the Schuylkill. With streetscape improvements already on the way for the area between 18th and 22nd Streets, PHS only has from 18th Street down to the Ben Franklin to bridge. Logan Square provides one anchor, and the idea was originally to just beautify Monument Plaza to create another.

But, “we know if we make [the plaza] beautiful, people will want to go there,” said DeMent, and making the plaza accessible on foot requires redirecting some of the traffic.

The Delaware River Port Authority, which is responsible for Monument Plaza and the Ben Franklin Bridge, has been “very supportive” so far, said DeMent. But… “Their focus is pedestrian safety and not stopping traffic from filtering on and off the bridge.”

DeMent made it abundantly clear that PHS agreed with DRPA on the importance of pedestrian safety and maintaining traffic flows. “Our entire plan is contingent on whether or not that is feasible,” said DeMent. In this context, “feasible” would mean that it doesn’t significantly disrupt traffic getting on or off the bridge. PHS is funding a traffic study, which should be ready by mid-summer.

If the feasibility study shows minimal impact on traffic, then the next step will be seeking DRPA’s support for initial design work. That design study would also provide estimates for the proposal’s cost.

If all goes as hoped, DeMent envisions a newly enlivened Monument Plaza with enticing green space and new lighting for Bolt of Lightning.