More than four years at a cost of $64.8 million dollars.
That’s the cost of a planned construction project to replace seven structurally-deficient bridges over Center City Philadelphia’s Vine Street Expressway (Interstate 676) set to begin Tuesday.
PennDOT plans to replace the two-span structures along 22nd Street, 21st Street, Benjamin Franklin Parkway/20th Street, 19th Street, 18th Street, and the Free Library and Family Court pedestrian bridges over I-676 with single-span bridges, said PennDOT.
The construction is necessary to ensure safety along the roadway connecting the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) with I-95.
“We are eager to start this critical project to rebuild these aging bridges and enhance areas above the Vine Expressway in the Logan Square neighborhood,” said PennDOT’s acting district executive Christine Reilly.
Other items to be repaired or replaced include repaving the roadway, removal or supports from the median and aesthetic efforts.
PennDOT warned of early morning closures along I-676 starting just after midnight through 5 a.m. each morning between Broad Street and I-76 in both directions starting Tuesday. The following closures will take place at the following times:
- Eastbound I-676 closure between I-76 and 16th Street Tuesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 16 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- Westbound I-676 closure between Broad Street (Route 611) and I-76 Wednesday, April 15 and Friday, April 17 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m.
- Possible eastbound or westbound I-676 closure Saturday, April 18 from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m.
When I-676 west is closed, the following detours will be in place for drivers:
- To I-76 East and West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15th Street south; right on J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue and follow signs to I-76 east and I-76 west;
- From 16th Street north of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16th Street north; right at Spring Garden Street; right at 15th Street; right at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west; and
- From 16th Street south of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16th Street north; left at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west.
Optional detours for passenger cars during the closure of I-676 west include:
- To I-76 West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15th Street south; right onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west; and
- From 16th Street north of J.F.K Boulevard to I-76 West: Follow 16th Street north; left onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west.
When I-676 east is closed, the following detours will be in place:
- From I-76 east: Exit at 30th Street/Market Street (Exit 345); right at Arch Street; left at 30th Street; left at Market Street; left at 16th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east;
- From I-76 west: Exit at 30th Street (Exit 345); take Schuylkill Avenue to Market Street; right at Market Street; left at 16th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east; and
- Traveling east on Benjamin Franklin Parkway intending to use the 24th Street on-ramp: Follow Benjamin Franklin Parkway around Logan Square and bear right onto Vine Street east; follow Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east.
After the closures next week, PennDOT plans to begin demolishing bridges starting with Family Court pedestrian Bridge on May 4.
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The first phase of the project is expected to last until lately July 2017 – with the exception of the time period during the World Meeting of Families when all projects will be put on hold. Phase 1 includes replacing the Family Court and Free Library pedestrian bridges, plus the 19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway/20th Street structures. Phase 2 – which is expected to last until the fall of 2019 – includes replacing the 22nd Street, 21st Street and 18th Street bridges.
The Family Court, 19th Street, 18th Street and Free Library bridges will be closed and detoured throughout the project while the other bridges will be rebuilt while being used, said PennDOT.
General contractor Philadelphia-based Buckley & Company, Inc. is working on the $64,836,180 project, which is being 100 percent financed through federal funds, said PennDOT.
Click here for more information about the project.
