September 2017 – Construction to improve surface streets and complete preliminary work for the new on-ramp to southbound Interstate 95 from Cottman Avenue (Route 73) will wrap up this fall, substantially completing the $212.3 million contract to improve the interchange and rebuild and widen 1.4 miles of I-95 between Rhawn Street and Levick Street by year’s end.
Crews have completed the reconstruction and widening of New State Road between Princeton Avenue and Longshore Avenue, and finished construction of sidewalks, placement of paver blocks — to stabilize and dress up the embankments — and installation of pedestrian-friendly lighting at reconstructed overpasses at Longshore, Unruh and Magee avenues.
Ongoing reconstruction of Bleigh Avenue between Wissinoming Street and Milnor Street (left) is expected to finish by the end of the year, and the extension of eastbound Princeton Avenue from State Road, under I-95, to Milnor Street, is expected to open by year’s end as well.
PennDOT’s contractor also will place light-weight fill this fall in the area on the west side of I-95 between Cottman and Princeton avenues, where the new on-ramp will be constructed in 2018. The light-weight fill is being used as a precaution to lighten the load of the new on-ramp on the new water and sewer mains that have been installed in this area.
A third and final contract (I-95/CP3) of the Cottman Avenue Interchange Improvement Project is scheduled to go to bid in 2018. That contract will finish any remaining utility work at the interchange area and construct the remainder of the new on-ramp.
Mainline reconstruction and widening to four through-lanes in each direction between the Academy Road and Bridge Street interchanges finished in late 2016. The first phase of reconstruction of I-95 at the Cottman Avenue (Route 73) Interchange began in fall 2009, focusing on improvements to Cottman Avenue. Construction of the current phase, I-95/CP2 started in late 2012.
Walsh Construction Company of Canonsburg, Pa. is the general contractor.
