PHILADELPHIA, PA — Drivers using the Schuylkill Expressway should brace for months of significant overnight disruptions in Center City as PennDOT prepares to shut down westbound Interstate 76 at 30th Street for an extended bridge rehabilitation project starting Sunday, December 7.
According to PennDOT, westbound I-76 will close Sundays through Thursdays from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM between the 30th Street and I-676 interchanges. The closures will run through Monday, June 1. During each shutdown, motorists will be directed to exit at 30th Street and follow Schuylkill Avenue west to the ramps for I-76 West or I-676 East.
PennDOT noted that no closures will take place between December 21 and January 3, 2026, to accommodate holiday travel. All scheduled work is weather dependent, and officials warn that even during overnight hours, heavy congestion and delays should be expected.
The closures support a $148.9 million project to rehabilitate several Market Street bridges spanning Amtrak rail lines, the Schuylkill Expressway, the Schuylkill River Trail, the Schuylkill River, and CSX Railroad. The work includes partial demolition and replacement of the Market Street superstructure over Amtrak and I-76, full deck and sidewalk replacement on the adjacent bridge over the river, and the replacement of a four-span bridge on the east bank with a single-span structure and new retaining walls.
Beyond structural repairs, Market Street’s pavement will be reconfigured between Schuylkill Avenue West and 23rd Street to expand safety and accessibility for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Plans call for two 10-foot travel lanes in each direction, added turn lanes, wider sidewalks, and a protected two-way bike lane separated by concrete barriers. That bike facility will connect to existing lanes at 23rd Street and include a dedicated bicycle signal at Schuylkill Avenue West.
Additional upgrades include new traffic signals with Intelligent Transportation Systems capabilities, along with modernized highway, bridge, and navigation lighting. The project also includes repairs to the river walls on both banks between Market and Walnut streets, as well as repairs to the pedestrian staircase linking the Schuylkill River Trail to JFK Boulevard.
PennDOT is urging motorists to plan ahead, use alternate routes when possible, and expect lengthy delays throughout the construction period.
Stay ahead of closures, detours, and congestion—visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center for real-time updates that keep you moving.
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