Philadelphia launches interactive map of street closures

The Philadelphia Streets Department launched a new interactive map that will contain information about street closures due to construction, maintenance, or events.

The map, released Feb. 11, updates every 30 minutes and contains a feature that allows users to view the street closure permits associated with a particular intersection or address, as well as a direct link to report non-permitted street closures and hazardous conditions.

The map was created amid several new construction projects in Philadelphia that have led to frequent road and sidewalk closures. In 2018, the city received and processed more than 16,000 right-of-way permits for projects across Philadelphia.

“Providing online access to Streets’ permits for street and sidewalk closures in real time better equips Philadelphians as they walk, bike, take transit, or drive around the City,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a press release. “The general public should be able to easily determine how long a sidewalk or intersection will be closed and now has a more informed way to report any issues through this map.”

Many major construction projects are currently taking place on Penn’s campus, including New College House West and the new Wharton Academic Research Building. People can use the newly created site to view street and sidewalk closures caused by these projects, as well as their permits and construction timelines.

City officials said the map aims to promote transparency and safety. Before it was released, residents could only learn about street closure permits by directly contacting the Streets Department’s right-of-way unit.

“We want people to be informed about what’s going on in their area," Patrick Iffrig, an engineering supervisor in the Streets Department's Right of Way Unit, told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "We get a lot of calls because they see somebody out there and they don’t really know what’s happening.”