Safety Theater on Pine and Spruce? The High Cost of Ignoring the Data.

Spending $5 million to install concrete barriers on Pine and Spruce Streets, as proposed by Mayor Parker, raises serious concerns about the City’s prioritization and transparency. None of Pine Street is part of Philadelphia’s High Injury Network, and only part of Spruce gets designated—the data-driven foundation of the Vision Zero initiative, which identifies corridors with the highest number of serious crashes and fatalities. Allocating such a substantial sum to lower-risk streets, without robust public engagement or input from residents, undermines the City’s stated commitment to evidence-based planning and equitable resource distribution. In a city with limited transportation funding, this decision diverts critical resources from neighborhoods where infrastructure improvements could save lives. The city should focus its investments on areas where data indicates the most significant potential to reduce harm and protect all road users, rather than just those where political momentum or vocal advocacy may exist.