Cheltenham Avenue Corridor Study
Background
Cheltenham Avenue, a State Road (SR 2035), is an important regional roadway in southern Montgomery County and the City of Philadelphia. Much of Cheltenham Avenue serves as the boundary between the City of Philadelphia and Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County. At the western end of the study area, Cheltenham Avenue is entirely within Springfield Township. This study focuses on the section of the Cheltenham Avenue corridor from Paper Mill Road to Ogontz Avenue.
With financial assistance provided by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Montgomery County, the City of Philadelphia, Cheltenham Township, and Springfield Township are working together to study the corridor to identify transportation improvements for all types of users along this important roadway.
Initial concerns along stretches of the corridor include:
- the lack of (or gaps in) pedestrian and bicycle facilities
- areas of high crashes and high speeds
Many of these concerns were also raised during the development of the Springfield Township Trail and Connectivity Plan (adopted 2023).
Study Goals
The purpose of the study is to determine possible reconfigurations of Cheltenham Avenue that would improve safety and better serve all roadway user types (drivers, transit riders, pedestrians, and bicyclists).
The study will evaluate current and future conditions to develop different options for the roadway. The final report, to be completed in June 2026, will document the study findings and recommendations, including the selected and preferred option.
Study Corridor
The corridor study area spans Cheltenham Avenue from Paper Mill Road to the west and Ogontz Avenue to the east. The study will also specifically look at 16 key intersections across Springfield Township, Cheltenham Township, and the City of Philadelphia.
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82 participants
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Phases
Phases overview
Phase 1: Background Information
Background Information
Phase 2: Interactive Map and Public Survey
Interactive Map and Public Survey
Phase 3: Public Events
Public Events
Interactive Map and Public Survey
December 1, 2025 - April 27, 2026
We need YOUR input!!
There are two ways that you can provide input and we encourage you to do both! To share a concern about a specific location on the corridor, click on the location on the interactive map below and follow the "Submit a comment" prompt.
We are also conducting a public survey to gather impressions, concerns, and other input about the corridor.
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https://esriurl.com/webgl-faqA pedestrian crossing is needed to support crossing now and in the future when the Cresheim Trail crosses Cheltenham Ave
Please install a safe pedestrian crossing at this location to connect with the Cresheim Trail, which is planned to cross Cheltenham Ave. between E. Mermaid Ln. and W. Waverly Rd.
Unsafe to cross on a bicycle or as a pedestrian
It is unsafe to cross here on foot or bicycle. It is also a primary route for cyclists from Cheltenham and Abington to access wissahickon park
From Broad Street to Washington Ln, the traffic is awful. There are too many car lanes and buses get stuck in traffic. There are not enough sidewalks and they are not wide enough. Bike lanes needed. Pedestrain crossing signals too short. Bus way nee
A safe pedestrian/cyclist crossing is needed for kids and others to cross along an otherwise safe trail network that is being expanded across Cheltenham. Traffic calming on Cheltenham at Mermaid Lane / West Waverly Road would align with funded work.
Safe pedestrian crossing for the cresheim trail at cheltenham ave!
Significant pedestrian/cycling crossing is needed here, especially to prepare for the extension of the Cresheim Trail that is routed along the former rail right-of-way at this location.
Needs sidewalks
School Traffic will get much worse if you reduce lanes here
The road surface quality is very bad (wide cracks, buckles, bad patches) the entire length of Cheltenham Ave. but is especially bad around Wadsworth. You can't continue to patch over problems in the sub-surface.. Fix the root problem..
Aggressive traffic and no sidewalks
crosswalk is needed across cheltenham and sidewalks along both side of cheltenham
Speeding, from Papermill thru Willowgrove Ave
This location needs a dedicated pedestrian crossing with a dedicated traffic signal activation for pedestrians. No other changes need to be made. This is for the safety of the public. Our walking trails are essential to public health
This location needs a safe pedestrian & bicycle crossing for the Cresheim Rail Trail which is in development
lack of sidewalks dangerous for pedestrians
Many cra accidents. Not lit enough in the dark. Too far of a crossing for pedestraians with the amount of car lanes. Feels damgerous as a pedestrian. Needs bus ways. Buses stuck in traffic. Need wider sidewalks and bike lanes
Approaching Cheltenham Ave from Childs Rd is very dangerous. The cars on Cheltenham come speeding by, and you can't see cars to your left until they are close enough to kill you in a few seconds.
Trying to turn into our driveway is a nightmare. Even though we put our turn signal on in plenty of time and slow down, drivers still speed behind us and come very close to hitting us. It's treacherous!
Sidewalks!!! Between Willow Grove Ave and Papermill Rd are essential for children to travel safely to and from school. While the distance is walkable it is currently unsafe without proper sidewalks. Also sidewalks are needed near LaSalle high school.
Dedicated left turn lane from eastbound Cheltenham Avenue onto Waverly Road.
Paper mill road is a major pedestrian corridor but currently there is no pedestrian infrastructure on this end of Cheltenham. This creates a large gap in the walking network and inhibits walk ability of the neighborhoods. Also, no safe bike routes.
"Where the sidewalk ends". The combination of the sidewalk ending at Cheltenham Ave & Patton Rd and the high speeds of vehicles due to hills make this area a death zone for pedestrians & cyclists. Consider widening the road and adding a bike lane.
This dogleg intersection is unsafe for cars, bikes, and pedestrians alike. I think a traffic light accommodating Cheltenham, Waverly, and Mermaid, with a safe bike/pedestrian crossing where the Cresheim Trail will cross, is ideal.
Continue straight and right only lanes on Paper Mill Road, south of Cheltenham Avenue to Harston Lane.
Convert to roundabouts
People drive way too fast and there are many accidents. With how close the houses are at this intersection and many people crossing on foot/bikes, something needs to be done to slow drivers down here. It’s a neighborhood, not a highway.
Mermaid and Cheltenham difficult to cross on foot. Dangerous to turn when driving.
Many crashes here. Regularly see cars speeding through the intersection and blowing light. Left turns from Willow Grove have poor visibility. Frequent foot and bike traffic basically crossing a highway. Need something to slow cars down.
Dedicated left & right turn lanes from Mermaid Lane onto Cheltenham Avenue.
High accident volume, high speed drivers, low visibility, proximity to homes
Spot with no sidewalk
The entire stretch of West Cheltenham Avenue probably can't afford reduced speed but should have speed enforcement cameras.
Car accident, car speeding, police jurisdiction
Dangerous to make a left hand turn from Patton onto Cheltenham. Tend to avoid turning either direction and take another route. Visibility turning left is problem and speed of traffic on Cheltenham heading east also dangerous.
My property is at Cheltenham + Greenwood (corner)
No dedicated left turn signal traveling south/east. Very hard to turn into shopping center
The corridor is in bad shape & the concrete slabs underneath are deteriorating. Several sections are extremely damaged or have severe blowups in the pavement. A simple repaving will breakdown quickly unless these deteriorated sections are addressed.
Consider improving entry and exit point to school to allow bus and car travel to exit travel lanes to exit/enter the campus… creates congestion all the way to Paper Mill
There needs to be a WB left turn lane at this location, right now left turning traffic can backup or sometimes stops in the travel lane because a concrete island is blocking space for left turning traffic to queue.
Traffic circle at Mermaid and Waverly
Part 2: If this is not feasible, replace the no turn on red signs with a “Blank Out” no turn on red signs (The Fairway at Old York Road in Abington Township) that is illuminated when the on-coming left turn phase is active.
Lots of confusing pedestrian crossings. Bike riders are not seen by car drivers, no shoulder on Easton rd along the cemetery border. I’ve heard of multiple pedestrians getting hit at this intersection and in front of the shopping center
Connect trail through LSHS from Cheltenham to Hawthorne if no sidewalks
Advanced overhead signage is needed at all intersections. Additionally, reflective borders on all traffic signals will reduce confusion and collisions.
This intersection needs to be improved, all four legs need a dedicated left turn lane with a left turn phase. SB Limekiln also needs a dedicated right turn lane, or a channelized right turn ramp at this location.
The stop light to turn left on the weekends traveling north on cheltenham Ave only goes off if cars are sitting there. Would be helpful for weekend travel if it could be a flashing yellow left as opposed to only one option
Add left turn only pavement markings to westbound Cheltenham Avenue at Paper Mill Road.
mermaid and cheltenham needs a light
Cheltenham Avenue from Tookany Creek to Paper Mill Road needs a 25 MPH speed limit
Fix the Potholes
Frequent traffic lights; turning and through lanes confusing. Dangerous for walkers and bikers. No bus lane.
Lots of traffic congestion around Phil Alena + Greenwood. Maybe there shouldn't be ability to make left hand turn.
Elaine is one way and we need a light, delayed at the corner to help drivers get out onto Cheltenham safely
Add five-section signal with retroreflective backplate boarder to right hand lane of westbound Cheltenham Avenue at Paper Mill Road that indicates a right green arrow when southbound Paper Mill Road has a left green arrow.
Continue left and right turn lanes for westbound Cheltenham Ave from Paper Mill Road to Cromwell Road.
Change standard traffic signal to a protected left turn signal with retroreflective backplate boarder for the left turn lane of westbound Cheltenham Avenue at Paper Mill Road.
Making turns at this intersection and at mermaid Lane are dangerous due to speeding cars. To make the crossing safe for the cresheim trail, traffic signals need to be installed to halt traffic for users of the trail.
speeding, there is no speed limit sign from waverly road to willow grove avem waverly road to
Just north of this intersection there are two close proximity driveways that allow full access. Left turns out of properties often conflict with Limekiln thru movements making for a dangerous situation. Consider making them right-in/right-out only.
Some users want a traffic signal at this location. Why not a traffic circle? With the extra surrounding land from the PECO right-of-way it should not be difficult to execute. Just be mindful of the Cresheim Trail crossing here in a few years .
speeding cars
bad road surface; high traffic speed; no bike lane; no sidewalks west of school; no sidewalks on south side.
Numerous dangerous & unacceptable conditions in front of La Salle HS. Blind turning/pulling out, major congestion twice daily. Speeding. Driveway is at a blind hill and curve.
Left turn signal @ Vernon Road.
Bad Road Surface; High traffic speed; no bike lane; no sidewalks west of school; no sidewalks south side.
Left turn from waverly onto Cheltenham (to get to Ivy Hill Rd) is difficult. Traffic light (or even traffic circle) would be helpful here
Better lighting and crosswalks near the Mall. Move bus stops closer to crosswalks.
This intersection needs a safe crossing for bikes and pedestrians for users of the future Cresheim Trail
Ped scatter phases. Bus stop
Left turn signal @ Vernon Road from Cheltenham. Widened 2nd Lane
Dangerous intersection, can pedestrians cross? Bad road surface
Waverly Road is a more trafficked street down to Cheltenham Avenue. It can be difficult to make a left turn onto Cheltenham Ave from Waverly, southbound/eastbound.
Dedicated right turn lane from southbound Limekiln Pike onto Cheltenham Avenue.
Traffic in and out of LaSalle causes a lot of congestion at school arrival and dismissal times and it is very dangerous for cars (especially new teen drivers) to make a left turn out of the school). Also, hardly anyone abides by the school zome MPH.
Sidewalks needed, pedestrian crossing needed, speed on cheltenham ave should be reduced cars fly and it is difficult to make left hand terms visibility limited, large and multiple potholes. Cars should travel 30 mph on cheltenham ave
Consider opportunity for pedestrians to cross at once via button (like in Tokyo) as needed?
Excessive speeding along Cheltenham Avenue making it extremely difficult, as well as extremely dangerous, to enter and exit my driveway. There needs to be some type of speed bump at the Widener cross street forcing drivers to slow down. Thank you !
Exit from Stotesbury Townhomes onto Cheltenham Avenue is very dangerous. With cars driving past at 10 to 20 miles per hour over the speed limit. High risk entry and exit. One lane and lowering the speed limit would fix this.
Traffic counts need to be conducted during the school year to account for the added school related traffic at all the educational facilites in the area.
Given the future cresheim trail that will pass through here, a dedicate signal for pedestrains/bikers crossing Cheltenham would promote safety
The road surface on both sides has dips and is uneven.
No turn arrows. Difficult to see when making lefts with opposing lefts.
Right lane merges with left lane without warning near the gas station. Needs clearer signage.
Proper timing of signals and dedicated turn lanes will dramatically improve traffic flow. Traffic counts need to be obtained during peak travel days during the school year.
Dedicated left turn lane from westbound Cheltenham Avenue onto Mermaid Lane.
There is a major safety problem with large buckling of the asphalt! It also gets terrible potholes here. Cars slam into unexpected hazards that lead to misalignments and worse damage. UNSATISFACTORY for decades! Please fix this road for good.
Left turn signal turning onto Mt. Airy Ave from Cheltenham Ave. The sight lines are awful.
Traffic and light
This “intersection” is difficult to navigate as both a driver and pedestrian. A properly designed and designated PedX zone here would greatly help alleviate safety concerns.
Hard to make a left at the corner of cheltenham off of Willow grove
Making a left from New Second Street on to east bound Cheltenham Ave. is very dangerous due to very bad sight lines. A dedicated left hand turn lane and turn arrow are needed.
Extend shoulder on Willow Grove Ave so it is safe for cyclists
Better signage and light direction for intersectionm of Wadsworth / Easton Rd and Cheltenham Ave
Lack of sidewalks. Residents challenged to have visitors. Neighborhood would like pedestrian/bike access to township schools and library
As a motorist, cyclist & pedestrian on Cheltenham Ave I don't see many layout issues. The major problem is road surface quality. The deep cracks & heaving from the concrete base have not been maintained. It is the most dangerous road in Phila..
Dedicated left turn lane from eastbound Cheltenham Avenue onto Limekiln Pike.
Would like improved infrastructure at intersection. Cyclists use Waverly Rd or Mermaid Ln. as a key route. Maybe put traffic lights there.
Major congestion source during usual high traffic times; student drivers here and at paper mill cause issues
Dedicated right turn lane from eastbound Cheltenham Ave onto Ivy Hill Road.
If a road diet is implemented, strong consideration should be given to keeping two lanes for the inclines in both directions to allow for passing of slower truck traffic.
Provide proper left turn lanes for Limekiln in both directions with a dedicated right turn lane going south
Downhill grade is steep approaching dead end at Paper Mill Road, Cars arewe usually approaching much too fast. Perhaps speed bums from LaSalle to Pper Mill could be installed to slow them down to a safer speed.
Lane change needs to be more prominent
Provide left turn lane to Gowen Ave. Currently the median makes drivers sit in left travel lane.
The stretch from Ogontz through Easton is death-defying! Many drivers with no regard for rules, traffic lights, or other drivers. Completely ignore traffic lights frequently, pass unsafely, and frequently with extensive speed.
Waverly Rd intersection - Difficulty in exiting Waverly to make a left turn onto Cheltenham
Stop sign needed at Queen St and Willow Grove Ave. Trying to turn left onto Willow Grove Ave from Queen St is almost impossible during heavy traffic times.
Challange for peds crossing to-fro bus depot. Very dangerous. Peds stop in middle of turn lane
This intersection is very dangerous. Broad Street feedong into Cheltenham Ave, Old York Road Traffic Feeding in as well, and an actual four lane highway. Ppl getting on and off buses and trying to go to stores like Hmart and Dunkin in the middle
Would like left turn signals at Vernon Road
I run on the sidewalks in this area regularly. The sidewalks are not well maintained. In one area particularly, the hedges/trees are overgrown and hang well into the sidewalk area.
Road is not wide enough coming down hill with traffic and light is not long enough to keep it going. Traffic then gets backed up at light and past high school to get on 309. No sidewalk on cheltenham either.
The Ogontz bus terminal is horible to get to. RIght next to highway, scary corssing to even get to bus. No signs with times for buses or even bus schedules. Outdated bus names. Need Busway, bike lane. wider sidewalk, pedestrian friendly streets.
Speeding and Accidents
Safe Chesheimtrial Crossing
Traffic moves pretty quickly, which is nice. But people often park in the far lanes, and I’m concerned walking or biking there with my child.
Speed of traffic along entire length of Cheltenham ave
Need cross walks and traffic calming measures here!
Lack of sidewalks. Residents challenged to have visitors. Neighborhood would like pedestrian/bike access to township schools and library
Traffic is cutting through stores here to avoid lights, jutting out into an already overcrowded street
Add five-section signal to right hand lane of northbound Paper Mill Road at Cheltenham Avenue that indicates a right green arrow when westbound Cheltenham Avenue has a green light.
LaSalle H.S. should consider adding entrance /exit on PaperMill Rd near 309. LaSalle added a grade of students (8th)
No sidewalks in this section. Mature trees shorten driveways. Foul drainage diminish property values.
high speed traffic; bad road surface. No sidewalk on south side.
Easton signal not being called
Mermaid Lane & the future cresheim trail bring walk/bike users to this intersection. Currently it is very unsafe due to width and lack of any infrastructure. A crosswalk with lights or even a bridge would be preferred to cross Cheltenham.
Convert to roundabout
• Dedicated left & right turn lanes from westbound Cheltenham Avenue onto Willow Grove Avenue.
Cheltenham Ave / Easton Rd pothole (crater). Coming from Chestnut Hill, left-hand turn at Cheltenham Ave to enter the Mall - big pothole has been there for years!
Lasalle High School Traffic backed up in the morning. If you do what you did on Bethlehem Pike traffic will be backed up to the Twp building and Willow Grove Ave in the mornings. La salle should be forced to have another exit and entrance on Hawtho
Dedicated left & right turn lanes from eastbound Cheltenham Avenue onto Willow Grove Avenue.
There should be upgrades throughout the extent of the corridor to all the signal controllers to accommodate LTE (cellular) interconnection and radar vehicle detection. There should be pedestrian signal devices at all signalized intersections with pedestrian crossings.
All intersections with traffic lights should have pedestrian walk lights. Traffic lights should be set to all traffic per direction at once and all pedestrians at once. Where there are no traffic lights there should be the pedestrian flash light.
Continue straight and left only lanes on Paper Mill Road, north of Cheltenham Avenue to Fraser Road.
Restrict left turns at Phil Ellena St and Greenwood St. Direct lefts to Vernon Rd Signal
Part 1: Replace protected left turn arrows in both directions on Cheltenham Avenue at Willow Grove Avenue with Flashing Yellow Arrows and remove the no turn on red signs.
consolidate driveways into one right-in, righ-out with left-out restrictions to prevent current dangereous conflicts
Limekiln, SB-RR, NB-LR. Walgreens and SC driveway access management
excessive speeding hinders left hand turns from trumbauer onto cheltenham. . lasalle high school entry should not occupy a full lane and block other traffic
Visible/Prominent Listing of street to enter
We would love a better way to cross the street on foot. It’s treacherous!
Huge problem (safety) with timing og traffic light at Easton and Wadsworth. Main issue is making a left turn from Easton Rd to Cheltenham Ave
Vehicles speed so fast around this curve it is hard to make a turn onto Cheltenham Avenue at this curve.
Ogoutz + Cheltenham - Many street approaches. Turning movements never stop
need better/earlier signage for straight/turning lanes
Generally no pedestrian access on a major reidentual stretch. Cars are unable to pull over and park, including delivery drivers on this hill—challenging for residents who are challenged to have guests because they’re not accessible
Making a left onto Cheltenham Ave out of the LCHS driveway is very dangerous. Put a series of speed humps along the eastbound lanes so that cars are moving slower so that one can more safely make a left out of the driveway.
Turning
The roads are terrible. They buckle and have several potholes on both sides of the road.
Upcoming and ongoing events
Event date: May 28th, 2026 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
1510 Paper Mill Rd
9 registrants
Past events
Event date: April 14th, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 6:45 PM.
1500 Wadsworth Avenue
4 registrants