Exclusive: City Controller's Report Exposes Speed Cushion Defects in Philadelphia Schools
A recent investigation by the Philadelphia City Controller's office has uncovered a critical issue with speed cushions installed at local schools. The report, obtained exclusively by Action News, reveals that many of these speed cushions do not meet the required standards, potentially leading to costly repairs for taxpayers.
The Controller's team inspected 140 speed cushions at 44 schools during the summer and fall of the previous year. Shockingly, only two of these cushions adhered to the specified height and length measurements outlined in the traffic engineer blueprints.
Speed cushions, designed to slow down traffic for safety, are supposed to have a maximum height of three to four inches, with PennDOT recommending a three-and-a-half-inch limit. However, the investigation found that 95% of the cushions were too steep, exceeding the 10% grade standard.
The consequences of these sub-standard installations are already being felt by residents. Homeowners have complained about excessive noise and cars swerving around their properties. Vehicle owners, like Bruce Williams, have reported damage to their cars, with Mr. Williams' Toyota Prius sustaining significant scratches and a broken component after hitting a speed cushion in front of Henry Lawton Elementary in the Wissinoming neighborhood.
The report further highlights that 27 out of 133 cushions measured during inspections had grades two or three times the required standard. Examples of such cushions can be found outside Mayfair Elementary and Meredith School in Queen Village.
Additionally, 93% of the cushions had runs shorter than the blueprint standard of 36 to 42 inches. One particularly notable case was a cushion measuring just 12 inches in front of Childs Elementary on 16th Street in Point Breeze.
The Controller, Christy Brady, emphasizes that these issues are fixable and calls for immediate action to rectify the situation. With 135 schools having speed cushions installed at a cost of approximately $51,000 per school since 2023, the financial implications for taxpayers are significant.
The Philadelphia Streets Department, responsible for overseeing the project, has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. The department's inability to address the issue promptly raises concerns about the safety and well-being of the city's residents.
As the investigation unfolds, the question remains: How many other speed cushions across the city are non-compliant, and what steps will be taken to ensure the safety and satisfaction of taxpayers?
