‘A big deal and a big thing' — Officials break ground on $329M waterfront project

State and local officials gathered in Penn's Landing, Wednesday morning, to break ground on a massive multimillion dollar project intended to transform Philadelphia's waterfront along the Delaware River by capping I-95 and creating a park to connect the city to the river.

During the day, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and other elected officials in Penn's Landing to break ground for the $329 million Park at Penn's Landing project.

Kenney helped open the event by remembering how residents have long had issues with the fact that the highway cuts off Center City from the waterfront.

In fact, the mayor remembered that the construction of I-95 was "traumatic" to the city.

"I grew up in a neighborhood where literally thousands of homes were taken for I-95," he remembered.

Yet, Kenney argued that this project would restore the waterfront as "an extension of our neighborhoods."

Governor Shapiro agreed, calling the project "a big deal and a big thing."

"Not just because it's a big deal for Philadelphia, but because it's a big deal for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," he said.

The governor noted that the Delaware River is a hub for commerce, not just on a local level but nationally. He also argued that the city's waterfront it's a huge draw for tourists worldwide.

Delaware River Waterfront Corperation

A park that would reconnect Center City to the Delaware River waterfront, Shapiro said, will 'unlock new opportunities here in the city."

"This is going to be a place where we can celebrate one another. This is going to be a place of peace," said Shapiro. "This is part of a bright future that I see for our wonderful city."

Once complete, organizers have said, the 11.5-acre public space will offer a "flexible open space for performances and festivals; food and drink options; a new play area; a relocated RiverRink for ice skating in the Winter; and a water play area to cool off in the Summer."

On Tuesday, PennDOT closed a pedestrian bridge over I-95 at Walnut Street in preparation for this project.

That bridge is expected to be closed through summer of 2027 to give contractors time to "dismantle the existing covered area and construct a new concrete cover over I-95 between Chestnut and Walnut streets that extends east over Columbus Boulevard at Penn’s Landing."

During the closure, PennDOT will have pedestrians use Dock Street to cross over I-95.

Also, PennDOT plans to regularly provide updates on this project at www.95revive.com and ParkatPennsLanding.com.