July 21, 2025
Draft Update: Connections 2050 establishes a vision for the region’s future and serves as a blueprint for prioritizing $78 billion in capital transportation investment in the region by 2050. DVRPC must receive written comments for the Draft Plan by 5:00 pm (local time) on August 20, 2025.
A new draft long-range plan, Update: Connections 2050 (Plan), is now available for public comment. It plans for the orderly growth and development of the region and considers future population growth, economic trends, environmental concerns, and technological advancements to guide investments in roads, public transit, biking, walking infrastructure, and other transportation modes. Developed with regional stakeholders, including the public, the Plan sets a 2050 vision for a Greater Philadelphia that provides:
- A safe, modern, multimodal transportation network for all
- An innovative and connected economy with opportunity and shared prosperity
- Integrated, healthy, and walkable communities
- A preserved and restored natural environment and healthy ecological systems
- Clean, reliable, and affordable infrastructure and utility services, resilient to the effects of extreme weather
The Plan also contains a $78 billion financial plan for investing in multimodal transportation assets over the next 25 years. This includes funding to maintain and modernize existing infrastructure, make new capital investments in roadway and transit, operational improvements to make our roads and transit systems safer and more efficient, and more.
What’s New in This Draft Plan?
While it may look similar to the existing long-range plan, Connections 2050, the Draft Update: Connections 2050 includes some significant changes. Most prominently, it adds a new plan element, Infrastructure and Utility Services, that complements the existing elements: transportation, economy, community, and environment. Under Infrastructure and Utility Services, the draft Plan establishes three new goals and supporting strategies. The Plan also updates the goals and strategies for the other plan elements based on feedback from the public, and it identifies the various parties responsible for implementing each strategy recommendation.
Other updates to highlight in the new draft Plan:
- The Regional Circuit Trail Network and Vision Zero projects are fully funded.
- Plan Centers have been updated based on density and transit access.
- There is a new funding category in the financial plan for Substantive Safety improvements that will help the region achieve its 2050 Vision Zero goal.
- There is a new Green Transportation category that includes bicycle and pedestrian projects, highway caps, environmental mitigation, and more.
- Transit projects are simplified into four categories: (1) preservation and modernization, (2) operational improvements, (3) system expansion, and (4) other, which covers required payments and miscellaneous items.
- The list of funded and aspirational Major Regional Projects has been updated.
- Language has been updated to be more accessible, with the intent to limit transportation and planning jargon.
- There are additional updates to ensure compliance with new federal executive orders and guidance.
We Want to Hear From You!
Draft Update: Connections 2050 incorporates feedback from the public that was received during the last plan update, in focus groups, and during public outreach. Now is another opportunity for the public to share their feedback and help shape the future of the region!
Comments may be submitted by email or mail.
By Email: LRP@dvrpc.org
By Mail:
Public Comments
c/o DVRPC Office of Communications and Engagement
190 N. Independence Mall West, 8th Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520
People are also invited to attend a public meeting:
In-person meeting:
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 6:00-7:30 pm
Mullica Hill Library
389 Wolfert Station Road
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Register to attend: https://bit.ly/4k7LP8O
Dinner will be available for attendees.
Hybrid meeting:
Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 6:00-7:30 pm
In-person at DVRPC’s office
190 N Independence Mall W, 8th Fl.
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1520
Directions: https://www.dvrpc.org/directions/
Register to attend in-person and online: https://bit.ly/43vV9wr
Dinner will be available for in-person attendees. Both in-person and online attendees will have the option to give public comment.
Questions and comments must be submitted in writing. If you need assistance providing a written comment, please contact the DVRPC Office of Communications and Engagement at 215.592.1800 or public_affairs@dvrpc.org.
DVRPC must receive written comments for the Draft Plan by 5:00 pm (local time) on August 20, 2025.
Long-Range Plan, Transportation, Transit, Bicycle & Pedestrian, Economy, Livable Communities, Environment, Health & Safety, Freight & Aviation