January 2017 – Construction of ramps connecting Interstate 95, the Betsy Ross Bridge and Aramingo Avenue in Philadelphia continues this winter as work gets set to begin on a second contract to improve Aramingo Avenue and extend Adams Avenue in the vicinity of the interchange.
In a sprawling work zone that occupies large areas on both sides and the middle of I-95 at the interchange, a number of new ramps are taking shape as several existing ramps are reconfigured and widened.
The Ramps
Aramingo Avenue to I-95 South: Construction to widen and rebuild the ramp continues. Crews are widening the lower end of the existing ramp, where it crosses over Aramingo Avenue, and, as conditions permit, placing the concrete deck (right) for the rebuilt upper section of the ramp that rises high over Frankford Creek and back down to a connection with I-95. The ramp remains closed and detoured during construction.
South to the Betsy Ross Bridge: Work also continues on the permanent entry point (left) of the new ramp from I-95 south to the Betsy Ross Bridge. The main section of the new ramp is open and accessible to I-95 south motorists via a temporary tie-in at I-95 while the permanent connection is made.
I-95 North to Aramingo Avenue: Widening at the lower end of this ramp (left) is underway. The widened ramp will merge with two other ramps (see above) to create a single ramp that will end at the complex on the west side of Aramingo Avenue.Aramingo, Adams Avenue Improvements Begin
Construction begins in early winter on a second contract at the interchange that will further improve access to and from I-95 and the bridge via a widened Aramingo Avenue and an extension of Adams Avenue. Following a traffic shift to move four lanes of Aramingo Avenue to the east, crews will demolish and begin rebuilding the western third of the bridge over Frankford Creek under the initial construction stage on the $81 million project. As the bridge is rebuilt, a number of utilities also will be relocated to the new bridge.
Over three-plus years of construction, Aramingo Avenue will be widened to four lanes between Wheatsheaf Lane and Church Street. It will have turn lanes to Church Street, the ramps to I-95 and the bridge, and to the extension of Adams Avenue (below), which also will be built during a later stage of the project.
PennDOT is reconstructing and improving Adams Avenue between Torresdale Avenue and its current eastern terminus at Ashland Street. Adams Avenue will then be extended approximately one mile from Ashland Street to connections with Aramingo Avenue and with the ramps to and from I-95 and the bridge.
Additional improvements to other ramps at this interchange will be constructed in a separate project that will go to bid at the completion of design engineering. In addition to the new $81 million contract to improve Aramingo Avenue and Adams Avenue, PennDOT is investing $160.2 million to improve the interchange. Four additional contracts will complete improvements to the interchange’s ramp system and reconstruct almost one mile of I-95 at the interchange.
PennDOT is maintaining three travel lanes in each direction on I-95 at the interchange during construction; however, overnight lane closures may occur during traffic pattern changes and for stages of construction in the center of the interstate.
