It took closing I-95 for a couple of weekends, but the existing covered sections over the interstate are down and pier construction is underway in Penn's Landing. PennDOT closed northbound and then southbound I-95 over two weekends in February to remove what was left of the structures over the interstate at Walnut and Chestnut streets.
Additional overnight closures of I-95 South are planned for early March to install temporary barrier and restripe the southbound travel lanes to shift traffic away from the median, so that crews will have a safe area to begin construction on the new piers at Walnut and Chestnut streets. Work will also get underway to remove the remaining pier between the Market Street ramp and I-95 South and replace it with barrier.
By replacing and extending the cap over I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, the $329 million I-95 Central Access Philadelphia (CAP) Project will improve pedestrian and multimodal connections between Center City and the waterfront. The project has two main components: a new Park at Penn's Landing, and a new signature bridge at South Street, both of which will also extend over Columbus Boulevard to connect cyclists and pedestrians to the newly completed Delaware River Trail.
The new Park will be an 11.5-acre civic space spanning I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, extending from Front Street to the Delaware River. It will include amenities including gardens, play areas, flexible open space, a contemplative setting for the Irish and Scottish Memorials, and a mass-timber Pavilion.
Additional project details, construction updates, project detours and other information are available at www.95revive.com and parkatpennslanding.com.
To view a time lapse of the project, click here.