Wissahickon traffic survey reveals illegal parking, speeding among top concerns

Less than a week after the country’s biggest traveling day of the year, the Wissahickon Interested Citizen’s Association hosted a meeting to discuss traffic issues plaguing the neighborhood.

Eleven members of the Traffic and Parking Committee gathered to review results from a traffic survey conducted by the group and to prioritize the concerns.

Chairperson Suzanne Hagner listed Manayunk Avenue, Henry Avenue and Rochelle Avenue as the main problem areas.

“We want to focus on streets becoming safer for our citizens,” Hagner said. “Traffic is getting worse, and not just during work commute hours.”

Hagner ran through the most repeated complaints in the survey, which include illegal parking, obstructing views, barely visible traffic lines, missing stop signs, and speeding. Hagner specified the corner of Barnes Street and Henry Avenue as hazardous, saying that cars frequently run the traffic light.

“Civic groups need to work together to make changes,” Hagner said. “So much good can come from neighbors getting together.”

Some of those changes include adding speed cushions, which Hagner says they’re on the waiting list for, and increasing the number of law enforcement officers to monitor streets.

Chris Moore, a fellow committee member who has lived in Wissahickon for five years, has noticed an increase in safety issues since he moved to the area.

“It’s becoming more and more dangerous to drop off and pick up your kids at school,” Moore said. “Even crossing guards have strong opinions about these concerns, but they don’t feel they have a place to address them.”

Moore says that the issue of permit parking will be tabled for now, until the committee speaks with representatives from the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Streets Department, and Philadelphia Police Department.

“We’re hoping to get support from councilmen and state representatives to implement these traffic calming measures,” Hagner said.

The next Traffic and Parking Committee meeting is scheduled for January 12 at 7 p.m. inside the Northern Home for Children.