July 2017 – Construction to improve surface streets and install a large water main is heading toward completion, setting the stage for work to start later this year on the new ramp to southbound Interstate 95 from Cottman Avenue (Route 73), the final major construction item in 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.
Since mainline reconstruction and widening finished late last year, providing motorists with four through lanes in each direction between the Academy Road and Bridge Street interchanges, crews have been working to complete the project’s remaining street-level improvements and utility installations.
Reconstruction of State Road/New State Road from Princeton Avenue and under I-95 to Longshore Street is expected to finish in August. Crews will then complete work on the extension of eastbound Princeton Avenue from State Road, under I-95, to Milnor Street, allowing crews to then focus on rebuilding Bleigh Avenue from State Road to the Delaware River later this year.
Work on Longshore Avenue, Unruh Avenue, and Magee Avenue at their I-95 overpasses has been completed. Each street features decorative abutment walls (above) depicting various icons that define the adjacent neighborhoods, paver blocks to stabilize embankments, new sidewalks and LED pedestrian lighting.
Relocation of a large water main on the west side of I-95 between Cottman and Princeton avenues is expected to finish late this year, allowing construction to start on the new on-ramp to I-95 south from Cottman Avenue, the final major work item in the reconstruction of the Cottman Avenue (Route 73) Interchange. The new on-ramp is expected to be substantially completed in fall 2018.
A third and final contract (I-95/CPU) of the Cottman Avenue Interchange Improvement Project is scheduled to get underway in 2018. That contract will finish any remaining utility work at the interchange area.
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.
