PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Major upgrades are underway around Logan Circle as the city prepares for an influx of visitors in 2026, when Philadelphia will serve as a focal point for America’s 250th birthday celebrations.

The innermost travel lane and sidewalk around Logan Circle are now closed and will remain shut down until the spring. The work is one of several infrastructure projects happening across the city to get ready for heavy foot traffic during the commemorations.

“It’s great for Philadelphia, it’s neat for the country, hopefully it brings more people to appreciate everything we have in Philadelphia,” said Brenden Lowe of Spring Garden.

City officials say the improvements are designed to make high-traffic areas safer and more accessible.

“The streets department is making upgrades throughout the city because we’re gonna have a lot of visitors, and it’s important that we have accessibility for anyone who decides to come to Philadelphia in 2026,” Streets Commissioner Kristin Del Rossi said.

Drone footage shows construction already underway, with the circle’s outer sidewalk and an inner lane blocked off. Crews will reconstruct the 15-foot-wide sidewalk and install eight ADA curb ramps.

“The project is reconstructing the existing 15-foot-wide outer sidewalk around the circle as well as eight ADA curb ramps,” Del Rossi said.

People who frequent Logan Circle say the work is welcome, even if it comes with temporary disruptions.

“I think it’s great they’re doing upgrades. I just hope it doesn’t inconvenience too many people in the meantime,” Lowe said.

Residents in nearby Fairmount echoed that sentiment.

“We actually walk to work downtown every day, so we walk right past the circle and it’s beautiful, so excited to see it get even prettier,” said Liz Town of Fairmount.

“I think it’s awesome, I think this area is such a great part of the city. We do get a lot of foot traffic, so I think it’s awesome that they’re investing money in making it look better,” said Holly Tevis of Fairmount.

The city is also making roadway improvements along Market Street in Old City and throughout Lemon Hill, with more temporary lane closures expected.

“Temporary inconvenience for a long-term improvement,” Del Rossi said.

Work is also planned for the 101-year-old fountain at Logan Circle, which will be restored and reopened in May 2026.

“I think it’s great, it’s beautiful, kids play with it in the summer, it’s an icon,” Lowe said. “We were in an airplane this morning, you can see it from the sky, so it’s a great place and I’m glad they’re upgrading it.”

Del Rossi said the goal is to ensure the city is at its best when visitors arrive.

“We’re gonna have a lot of visitors,” she said. “We want Philadelphia to be a place that a lot of people remember when they come here – some for the first time, some a repeat trip – but we just wanna make sure that our city looks the best it possibly can for our 2026 visitors.”

Construction around Logan Circle will take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the target completion set for spring 2026.

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