July 17, 2025 – PennDOT’s contractor completed placement of steel beams over southbound Interstate 95 (see below) in mid-July, and construction is underway this summer on the eastern abutment and support pier along Columbus Boulevard for the remainder of the new covered area over I-95 at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.
As that work continues, additional closures of I-95 will take place later this summer for sign structure placements over northbound I-95 and reinforcement of the Market Street on-ramp, which will impact southbound I-95. These closures will last three or four nights each and details will be announced in advance of the closure dates.
Closures for beam placement over northbound I-95 and Columbus Boulevard will not take place until late 2026.
Assembly of the new South Street Pedestrian Bridge extension (see rendering below) in a lot on the east side of I-95 is now expected to begin this fall. The steel structure – a signature, tied-arch extension of the existing pedestrian bridge over I-95 – will allow pedestrians to access Penn’s Landing from Center City by crossing over Columbus Boulevard.
When finished, the extension will be lifted into place over Columbus Boulevard and anchored to piers on both sides of the riverfront arterial. The existing pedestrian bridge remains open during this work with only minor interruptions. Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to travel between Penn’s Landing and Front Street using Dock and Market streets during construction.
Foundation construction (see right) on both sides of Columbus Boulevard for the new extension of the South Street Pedestrian Bridge has been substantially completed.
Surface-level utility work by PECO and Comcast was completed this spring. Installation of sewer facilities at Penn’s Landing and Columbus Boulevard locations will continue until this fall.
During construction, motorists will experience minor lane shifts on I-95 and its adjacent ramps, while lane restrictions will take place on Columbus Boulevard and Front Street.
Under this $328.9 million project, PennDOT is building a new, larger covering over I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets at Penn’s Landing in Center City.
In addition to replacing the cap over I-95 between Chestnut and Walnut streets, the I-95 Central Access Philadelphia (CAP) Project will improve pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-modal connections between Center City and the waterfront.
The project, which is being financed with federal, local, and private funds, will add a new Park at Penn’s Landing and a new signature pedestrian bridge at South Street.
The new park will be an 11.5-acre civic space spanning I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, extending from Front Street to the Delaware River. It will include gardens, play areas, flexible open space, and a mass-timber pavilion. The Irish and Scottish memorials that were moved to Spruce Street for CAP construction will be returned to a new, permanent area on the new covering.
Additional project details, construction updates, and other information will be available on this website and www.ParkatPennsLanding.com.
