Philadelphia's massive $329 million Interstate 95 capping project is moving forward, and with progress comes disruption. PennDOT has announced more overnight closures impacting I-95, and Philly drivers will need to plan for detours next week as they navigate the city's arteries. This next phase will see I-95 southbound shut down from I-676/Callowhill Street to the Morris Street on-ramp, starting Monday, March 4 through Thursday, March 7, according to details shared by NBC Philadelphia.
The closures, which are part of the ongoing construction to create a park-like cap over the highway at Penn’s Landing, are slated to happen overnight, limiting the impact on daytime traffic. Commuters who typically take these routes can expect detours redirecting them to the Girard Avenue Interchange at Exit 23 or to Callowhill Street at Exit 22 and onto Columbus Boulevard, as noted by PhillyVoice. Those traveling from I-676 are advised to exit at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and follow Sixth Street to Race Street to pick up Columbus Boulevard.
During this intensive work period, crews will establish a long-term traffic shift between the Vine Street Expressway and the Morris Street on-ramp, giving them the necessary space to construct new piers that will support the "cap" over the highway between Walnut and Chestnut streets. "Crews will be setting up a long-term traffic shift between the Vine Street Expressway and the Morris Street on-ramp," said PennDOT spokesperson Brad Rudolph, as MSN reported.
While the current work will necessitate the temporary closure of the ramp from eastbound I-676 to southbound I-95, the silver lining for commuters is that after next week’s series of overnights work, PennDOT does not plan further complete closures of this stretch of I-95 for the remainder of the year. The extensive construction effort underway is a testament to the city's commitment to urban revitalization, seamlessly blending infrastructure improvement with public space enhancement.