Construction Update: GR1
Oct. 1, 2009

EXCAVATION, RAMP CONSTRUCTION AT GIRARD AVENUE  INTERCHANGE

Construction is underway on  the first of six contracts to improve the I-95/Girard Avenue Interchange.

Concrete safety barrier has been set on the southbound off-ramp to Girard Avenue, narrowing the ramp to allow construction of a temporary ramp spur that will take traffic to southbound Aramingo Avenue. Crews presently are dismantling the light standards and parapets situated along the edge of the ramp.

Beneath the off-ramp, crews have closed the ramp from Girard Avenue that carried traffic to the ramp to I-95 north and to Aramingo Avenue. Excavation is underway in that area to remove the existing pavement. Earthwork also is re-shaping the area for the temporary off-ramp and for a realignment of northbound Aramingo Avenue between Delaware Avenue and York Street.

A posted detour directs eastbound Girard Avenue drivers onto Richmond Street and the ramp to I-95 north or access to northbound Aramingo Avenue.

Under this first project, which is designed to move traffic more efficiently through the interchange area throughout the multi-phase, multi-year interchange improvement plan, crews will build a ramp off of the existing southbound I-95 off-ramp at the Girard Avenue Interchange. This spur ramp will provide direct access to southbound Aramingo Avenue and the waterfront area along Delaware Avenue. A traffic signal will be installed to control left turns from the spur ramp onto southbound Aramingo Avenue.

In addition, northbound Aramingo Avenue traffic will be re-routed through the interchange area from its intersection with Delaware Avenue. The re-routed northbound Aramingo Avenue will merge with the existing connector ramp that runs from eastbound Girard Avenue to Aramingo Avenue north near Norris Street. A short spur also will be built to allow northbound Aramingo Avenue traffic to turn left at a traffic signal onto southbound Aramingo Avenue.

Crews also will improve storm water drainage at the interchange and relocate various utility lines.