July 9, 2025 – Work zone setup activities continue on Interstate 95 at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange for PennDOT’s $355.3 million Section BR3 project to reconstruct, widen, and improve northbound I-95 between Wheatsheaf Lane and Margaret Street in Northeast Philadelphia.
Crews began setting the temporary concrete barrier in April from south of the existing Bridge Street work zone to approaching Allegheny Avenue, reducing northbound and southbound I-95 to three lanes in each direction through the adjacent interchanges.
With the barrier in place, PennDOT’s contractor began prepping the southbound side and median area of I-95 through the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange for a traffic shift this fall. That shift will move six lanes of southbound and northbound vehicles to the west side and middle of the interstate for excavation, reconstruction, and widening of the northbound lanes.
In preparation for the shift, the southbound shoulder will be repaved this summer to carry traffic, and the existing median will be removed and paved to carry northbound vehicles through a barrier-separated work zone.
Section BR3, the third of five contract sections to reconstruct and improve I-95 at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange, continues PennDOT’s long-term commitment to rebuilding and improving the aging I-95 infrastructure in Pennsylvania.
In addition to reconstructing and widening northbound I-95 from three-lanes-to-four lanes between Wheatsheaf Lane underpass to just north of Margaret Street, Section BR3 will re-align Pearce Street to connect to Orthodox Street; replace the northbound I-95 bridge over the Frankford Creek; rehabilitate two ramps and replace two other ramp structures with at-grade fill; and construct new retaining walls, and erect new sound walls.
The southbound side of I-95 at the Interchange will be completed under the BR4 contract that is tentatively scheduled to go to construction in 2027.
PennDOT completed Sections BR0 (2017) and BR2 (2023) that reconstructed numerous ramps and bridges at the interchange. Ground-level and utility work was also completed under these projects. Click here for more details.
Haines & Kibblehouse Construction of Skippack, PA, is the general contractor.
