June 25, 2026 – With reconstruction and widening of southbound Interstate 95 (Stage 2) at the Bridge Street Interchange completed in May, PennDOT’s contractor shifted southbound traffic onto the new pavement and established a work zone in the center of the interstate (see below) for construction (Stage 3) this summer to prepare for a northbound traffic shift in early fall that will mark the start of northbound work (Stage 4).
Work in the median area this summer includes removal of the old median barrier, installation of stormwater drainage components, and structural work on the Fraley Street bridge and the Carver Street ramp underpass. The median pavement will also be reconstructed for the three lanes of northbound traffic to travel on during Stage 4 construction.
Southbound reconstruction, including a new southbound viaduct over Bridge and Tacony streets (see below), completes the first major stage (Stage 2) of PennDOT’s $268 million I-95/BS2 project to reconstruct and widen I-95 in both directions between Margaret Street and Carver Street in Northeast Philadelphia.
Stage 2 rebuilt the entirety of southbound I-95 through the BS2 work area, widening the interstate to four lanes. In addition to the long southbound viaduct, half of a new bridge over Fraley Street was built and the southbound half of a new overpass replacing the Carver Street bridge was built. This replacement structure will allow the new southbound off-ramp (replacing the old James Street ramp) to pass under I-95 to a new interchange complex under construction on Tacony Street.
The southbound exit at Bridge Street remains closed and detoured to the Aramingo Avenue exit at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange. (Northbound I-95 motorists heading to Bridge Street will permanently use the exit at the Betsy Ross Bridge and also take Aramingo Avenue north to Bridge Street.)
The new Bridge Street Interchange, which will be situated between Fraley and VanKirk streets, will also include a new northbound on-ramp and a substantially completed segment of the Delaware Avenue Extension that will connect directly to I-95 North. (The Extension will eventually connect with Delaware Avenue from its current terminus along the river near Buckius Street. The bulk of the extension will be built under Section BS5 that is tentatively slated for construction beginning in 2027.)
Work on BS2 is being coordinated with northbound reconstruction currently underway at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange immediately to the south.
The northbound on-ramp from Bridge Street will remain open until the start of northbound reconstruction in late summer or early fall, when it will be closed permanently until the new northbound on-ramp from Delaware Avenue/Tacony Street is completed in late 2027. During construction, on-ramp traffic will be diverted to the northbound on-ramp at the Betsy Ross Bridge Interchange.
Section BS2, the second of five contracts to reconstruct I-95 and improve the Bridge Street Interchange, is expected to be completed in 2028. PennDOT completed Section BS1 reconstruction to rebuild and widen I-95 between Levick and Carver streets in early 2023.
During all upcoming Section BS2 work, three travel lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times, though periodic off-peak lane closures may be in place on I-95 during certain stages of construction.
James J. Anderson Construction of Philadelphia is the general contractor on Section BS2.
