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A $329 million project to connect Old City and the Delaware Riverfront via newly created park space is moving forward and could be finished as early as 2030.
The I-95 Central Access Philadelphia, or CAP project, includes the South Street pedestrian bridge – which will allow pedestrians access to Penn’s Landing from Center City by crossing over Columbus Boulevard.
As of March 30, a support pier for a section of the new concrete covering over northbound I-95 and Columbus Boulevard at Penn’s Landing is almost done – meaning deck beam placing will begin soon.
Beam placing is expected to happen in three phases – through November 2026.
Once the steel beams are placed, the Columbus Boulevard deck installation is scheduled from November 2026 through February 2027.
The pedestrian bridge is expected to open to the public in 2027, while the entire cap is expected to be completed in 2029.
A new park will also be built, with nearly a third of it on top of I-95 and Columbus Boulevard. The park will include gardens, play areas and open space. This could happen as early as 2030, although the actual construction timeline is still up in the air.
How this currently affects you
With the latest phase of the project, your nighttime drive could be affected Sunday through Friday of next week due to I-95 South closures.
Overhead construction will close I-95 South between the I-676 Central Philadelphia/Callowhill Street (Exit 22) and Washington Avenue/Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) interchanges.
The closures are necessary for construction, said Krys Johnson, the safety press officer for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s District 6, which includes Philadelphia County.
“PennDOT’s contractor will perform utility work and install some overhead jacks and sign structures,” she said.
Johnson said motorists are advised to be aware of restrictions during this time.
“Even though these closures are at night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., that will still be impactful in this area,” she said. “It’s right in Center City, right downtown. It’s a large amount of traffic, even though it’s at night.”
She said there will be an alternate option for drivers during this time.
“During those closures, there will be a detour,” she said. “You’ll be directed to use the I-676 West ramp. You’re going to have to turn left onto Callowhill Street, turn right onto Columbus Boulevard, and then use the I-95 South ramp at Water and Morris streets.”
To learn more about the CAP project, including updates and detour information, you can visit PennDOT’s 95Revive website.
Johnson said for this roadwork and all other updates, motorists can always check out the 511PA website.
“It’s free and it’s available 24 hours a day,” she said. “It provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to traffic cameras.”
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