October 18, 2022 – Construction is progressing this fall on PennDOT’s $93 million project to replace four ramp structures at the Interstate 95/Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange in Philadelphia.
The ramp from the Bridge to northbound I-95 is set to reopen later this fall. Crews will utilize this ramp to remove the dust screen erected adjacent to residences during construction on the east side of the interstate prior to reopening the ramp.
Much of the new ramp from the Bridge to I-95 south is in place over I-95 (see above). Construction continues on supports — piers and abutments — for the lower segment of the new ramp from the Bridge to I-95 south where it joins the ramp from Aramingo Avenue before merging with I-95 south.
The upper portion of this ramp where it passes over the Frankford Creek has been completed and a new concrete deck is in place. The new deck will be poured for the lower portion of the ramp in spring 2023 following completion of beam setting that will begin later this fall and continue into winter.
Both ramps are expected to be completed and opened to traffic in mid-2023.
During ramp construction, all traffic to I-95 south continues to run through the interchange at Aramingo Avenue, using the westbound Adams Avenue Connector as part of the detour route. Motorists are being directed to the I-95 south on-ramp at the Bridge Street Interchange. The detour will remain in place until the ramps are finished next spring.
Bridge traffic heading to I-95 north also remains detoured through the interchange with Aramingo Avenue on the west side of I-95 until the northbound ramp reopens this fall. Once this ramp is open, the new ramp from southbound I-95 to Aramingo Avenue at the Betsy Ross Bridge also will reopen.
Section BR2 ramp construction started in mid-2020. When BR2 construction finishes next year, the ramps will be tied-in to improvements that were completed along Aramingo Avenue and Adams Avenue in late 2020.
Two additional contracts, Sections BR3 and BR4, will reconstruct almost a mile of I-95’s mainline between the Betsy Ross Bridge and Bridge Street interchanges. Section BR3, which will reconstruct the northbound lanes of I-95 and replace two additional ramps, is scheduled for construction in 2023. Southbound I-95 reconstruction at the interchange is currently scheduled for 2026. The first ramp replacement contract at the interchange, Section BR0, was completed in 2017.
