PHILADELPHIA, PA — Drivers in Northeast Philadelphia should prepare for several nights of lane and ramp closures beginning Wednesday, August 19, leading up to a major northbound I-95 traffic shift and the permanent closure of the Bridge Street on-ramp Friday night.
At a Glance
- Roads Affected: Northbound and southbound I-95, Longshore Avenue ramp, Betsy Ross Bridge ramp, Aramingo Avenue ramp and Bridge Street ramp
- Dates: Wednesday, August 19, through Saturday morning, August 22
- Times: Generally 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM; some ramp closures begin at 10:00 PM
- Reason: Final-phase I-95 reconstruction and traffic pattern changes
On Wednesday, August 19, a left lane closure will be in place on southbound I-95 between the Cottman Avenue and Betsy Ross Bridge interchanges from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning.
The Longshore Avenue ramp to southbound I-95 will also close overnight Wednesday and Thursday from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM. Drivers will be directed north on State Road to the Cottman Avenue on-ramp to I-95 South.
On Thursday night, a left lane closure will affect both northbound and southbound I-95 between the Cottman Avenue and Betsy Ross Bridge interchanges from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM Friday.
The most significant restrictions arrive Friday night. Lane closures will begin at 8:00 PM on northbound I-95 between the Betsy Ross Bridge and Cottman Avenue interchanges as crews prepare to establish the new traffic pattern.
From 10:00 PM Friday until 5:00 AM Saturday, the ramp from the Betsy Ross Bridge to northbound I-95 will close. Drivers will be directed to the Aramingo Avenue ramp, then travel north on Tacony Street to the Milnor Street on-ramp at the Cottman Avenue Interchange.
The Aramingo Avenue ramp to northbound I-95 at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange will also close from 10:00 PM Friday until 5:00 AM Saturday. Those drivers will be directed north on Aramingo Avenue and then north on Tacony Street to the Milnor Street on-ramp.
Beginning at 8:00 PM Friday, August 21, the Bridge Street ramp to northbound I-95 will close permanently. Drivers will be directed north on Tacony Street to the Milnor Street on-ramp at the Cottman Avenue Interchange.
The permanent closure comes ahead of construction of a new northbound I-95 on-ramp from Tacony Street and the Delaware Avenue extension. PennDOT expects the replacement ramp to open in late 2027.
A major traffic shift will also take place Friday night from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM Saturday, moving northbound I-95 traffic onto the newly reconstructed southbound lanes while crews begin rebuilding the northbound side of the interstate at the Bridge Street Interchange.
The work is part of the final phase of PennDOT’s $267.9 million I-95 Section BS2 project, which includes reconstruction of the viaduct over Bridge and Tacony streets and adjacent sections of the interstate, along with interchange and surface-street improvements.
Drivers should expect significant backups and delays throughout the affected area and plan extra time. Motorists who regularly use the Bridge Street ramp should become familiar with the new detour before the permanent closure takes effect.
If weather prevents the Friday night operations, PennDOT plans to reschedule the Bridge Street ramp closure and northbound traffic shift for the week of August 24.
With multiple overnight closures, detours and a permanent ramp change arriving within days of each other, check conditions before traveling through Northeast Philadelphia. Visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center for current construction alerts, closures and other roadway conditions that could affect your trip: https://www.mychesco.com/traffic/
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