PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia’s Streets Commissioner, Kristin Del Rossi, has announced the upcoming closure of the Pine Road Bridge, located between Shady Lane and Bloomfield Avenue. Starting Monday, March 18, 2024, weather permitting, the bridge will be closed to traffic as it undergoes a significant reconstruction project expected to last until the end of 2024.
This closure marks the initiation of a major infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing the safety, efficiency, and longevity of the bridge. The project involves the demolition and removal of the existing concrete bridge deck and masonry barrier, followed by the construction of a new concrete bridge deck, masonry barrier, and steel girders.
In addition to the bridge’s overhaul, the project incorporates rehabilitation work on the bridge substructure, utilities relocation, and roadway approach work. Pedestrian accessibility is also a key focus of the project, with plans for ADA-compliant curb ramps, sidewalk bump outs, and a rapid flashing beacon. The project concludes with roadway resurfacing, pavement markings, and other miscellaneous construction tasks.
Loftus Construction Inc., the bridge contractor, will undertake the work, and the bridge is expected to reopen by December 2024. The project comes with a price tag of $4.3 million, funded through a combination of State Act 13, ARLE, and City Capital funds.
While the bridge closure may cause temporary inconvenience to travelers, the city has made arrangements to minimize disruptions. Electronic message boards will be installed in advance of the bridge closure to alert the traveling public. Detour signs will guide traffic from Pine Road, via Bloomfield Avenue, Verree Road, and Rhawn Street, back to Pine Road.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the popular Pennypack Trail will remain open during the construction period. The trail parking lot will also stay accessible, but only from the south side (Shady Lane) of the bridge.
Drivers can check current road conditions by visiting the MyChesCo Traffic Center. Stay updated on the latest news and information from MyChesCo with our free newsletter. Follow MyChesCo on Twitter at twitter.com/MyChesCo and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/MyChesCo.
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