Overnight closures on westbound Interstate 76 at 30th Street will resume on February 9, 2024, as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) restarts construction on overhead bridges. This work had been paused for several weeks due to winter weather conditions. The project, which is part of a larger $148.9 million rehabilitation effort, aims to improve critical infrastructure in Center City Philadelphia.
Details of the Construction Project
The construction on the westbound Schuylkill Expressway will last for several months, with significant changes to traffic patterns. From February 9 until June 1, westbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane between the 30th Street and Interstate 676 interchanges from 21:00 to 22:00, Sundays through Thursdays. During the hours of 22:00 to 05:00, the expressway will be fully closed and traffic will be detoured.
Motorists will need to exit at 30th Street and travel west on Schuylkill Avenue to access the ramps leading to I-76 West and I-676 East. PennDOT has advised that significant backups and delays are expected during this period, with all activities remaining weather dependent.
Improvements and Benefits
The bridge improvement project includes extensive renovations, such as partial demolition and replacement of the superstructure on the Market Street bridge, which spans Amtrak and I-76. Additionally, the project will replace deteriorated decks and sidewalks on adjacent bridges and construct a new single-span bridge over the Schuylkill River Trail and CSX Railroad.
Significant enhancements will also be made to Market Street’s pavement from Schuylkill Avenue West to 23rd Street, aiming to better accommodate vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Planned upgrades include wider sidewalks, new turning lanes, and the addition of a protected two-way bicycle lane with concrete separators.
Furthermore, the project will introduce new bicycle signals, improvements to Intelligent Transportation Systems, and upgraded lighting for highways, bridges, and navigation. Other essential tasks involve repairing river walls along the Schuylkill, addressing settlement issues on pedestrian stairways, and preserving the Walnut Street Bridge. A parking-separated bicycle lane will also be established along Walnut Street between 33rd and 22nd streets.
As the region braces for months of overnight closures on one of its busiest corridors, drivers are encouraged to plan their routes in advance and monitor traffic conditions closely. For real-time updates on traffic, detour information, and lane closure alerts in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, readers are advised to visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center.
Staying informed will be crucial for navigating the upcoming changes effectively, as construction progresses to improve vital infrastructure in the heart of Philadelphia.
