July 26, 2022 – The project to replace several ramp structures at the Interstate 95/Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange in Philadelphia continues to make headway this summer with construction focused on building replacement ramps to southbound I-95 and completing work on and reopening the ramp from the Bridge to northbound I-95 later this summer.
New structural components and the new concrete deck are in place for the section of the new ramp from the Bridge to I-95 where it passes over the interstate and the Frankford Creek (see above).
Crews are now building columns and support piers for the lower section of that ramp where it joins the ramp from Aramingo Avenue before merging with I-95 south (see below-right). New beams were erected earlier this summer where this ramp passes over Conrail facilities. Paving on this ramp will resume in spring 2023 to complete and reopen the ramps by mid-year.
All traffic to I-95 south continues to run through the interchange, using the westbound Adams Avenue Connector as part of the detour route. From the westbound Connector, motorists are directed east on Torresdale Avenue, then south on Harbison Avenue/Aramingo Avenue 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. Eastbound Adams Avenue through the interchange will be opened at this time as well.
The ramp from southbound I-95 to Aramingo Avenue at the Betsy Ross Bridge, which has been closed for construction of the new ramp from the Bridge, will also reopen at this time.
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 summer.
Section BR2 ramp construction ($93 million) 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.
