What you need to know
- Drivers using I-95 have until Saturday night, February 3, 2024, through the early morning hours of Monday, February 5, 2024, to find an alternate route.
- The northbound lanes between Exits 20 and 22 will be closed as crews demolish the Chestnut Street and Park overpass and overhead bridge being replaced as part of the $329 million CAP project. You will be able to work on it.
- The map in this story shows alternative routes for drivers who want to avoid confusion.
Drivers be careful! A busy stretch of Interstate 95 through downtown Philadelphia will be partially or completely closed for the first weekend in February.
As part of the $329 million CAP project To cover the interstate and connect Old City to Penn’s Landing, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will continue to operate the Interstate Highway from the evening of Saturday, February 3, 2024, until the early morning hours of Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) Interstate 95 northbound will be closed between Route 676 (Exit 22). Monday, February 5, 2024.
PennDOT announced the plan at a press conference Monday, hoping to give drivers enough time to prepare for the closure.
We’re here to answer your questions about the I-95 closure so you don’t slow down.
🚧 When will I-95 close in Philadelphia?
“Motorists are advised to avoid the closed area as major backups will occur on Interstate 95 approaching the work area, as well as Columbus Boulevard and surface roads near the work area,” PennDOT said. .
Lane closures will occur in two waves over the weekend, with the least impact on Philadelphia, South Philadelphia sports complexes, neighboring states, SEPTA and other transit agencies, PennDOT said.
Saturday, February 3, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: “A one-lane closure will be implemented on northbound I-95 between the Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) and I-676 (Exit 22) interchanges,” PennDOT said in a news release.
From 6pm on Saturday to 5am on Monday, February 5th: All northbound lanes of I-95 will be closed between Columbus Boulevard and I-676.
The ramp will be closed from 6pm Saturday to 5am Monday.
- On ramp from Columbus Boulevard just north of Washington Avenue to northbound I-95/I-676.
- Columbus Boulevard Lombard Circle to northbound I-95 ramp
- Ramp from westbound I-76 to northbound I-95 from New Jersey/Walt Whitman Bridge.
- Northbound I-95 ramp from Front Street
“During the closure period, northbound I-95 will be open to Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) for local traffic only,” PennDOT said.
How can I avoid I-95 closures?
Although the closure is very simple, the impact extends for miles and detours extend into Delaware and New Jersey.
“Traffic heading northbound on Interstate 95 from south of the Walt Whitman Bridge, and traffic heading westbound on Interstate 76 from New Jersey, must cross westbound to access Interstate 95 North. We recommend using Interstate 76 and East Interstate 676,” PennDOT said. .
This map shows all other ways to get around the road closures without detouring through Philadelphia streets.
“Electronic billboards on Interstate 76, Interstate 276, Interstate 476, and other local transportation arteries in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey warn motorists of road closures. and are used to provide certain alternative routes,” PennDOT said.
Those heading to New York from Delaware are advised to avoid Pennsylvania entirely and cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey and take Interstate 295 or the New Jersey Turnpike.
The local overnight detour will have motorists exit I-95 at the Washington Avenue off-ramp and follow Columbus Boulevard back to I-95 north from the Summer Street on-ramp. However, traffic congestion is expected on that route.
“During the closure period, access to I-95 North will be available at the ramp from Summer Street on Columbus Boulevard, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge, or on Columbus Boulevard. north to Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23),” PennDOT said.
Trying to access the Vine Street Expressway and Ben Franklin Bridge (Interstate 676) is even more difficult.
“To reach I-676, motorists will be directed to either go north on Columbus Boulevard, turn left on Spring Garden Street, or turn left on I-6.th Street access to I-676 East. Alternatively, take Spring Garden Street and turn left onto Route 8.th PennDOT describes it as a “street for access to westbound Interstate 676. Motorists may proceed north on Columbus Boulevard to the Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23), then cross Interstate 95 South. You can also access Interstate 676 West by using the .
Basically, if you have to drive in the area, you can expect to be stuck in traffic and the map tools on your phone will be working very hard, showing a lot of red.
Why Interstate 95 is closedWill there be more store closures in the future?
During this time, crews will continue to partially demolish the existing concrete covering I-95 between Chestnut and Walnut streets.
“The northbound closure will allow Penn State Department of Transportation contractors to begin removing the reinforced concrete sections covering the northbound lanes of Interstate 95,” Penn State said.
Earlier this month, the Chestnut Street Bridge over Interstate 95 between Old City and Penn’s Landing was closed and the Chestnut Park Viaduct and bridge were demolished.
” The new park will be 11.5 acres of civic space. “It straddles I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, and extends from Front Street to the Delaware River,” PennDOT said, adding, “Gardens, playgrounds, flexible open spaces, Facilities include meditative environments for Irish and Scottish monuments.” , and the Mass Timber Pavilion. ”
This likely won’t be the only closure needed to make the park a reality.
“Additional closures of I-95 are planned at a later date, and the remaining portions of northbound I-95 and cover covering southbound I-95 will be demolished,” PennDOT said.