April 25, 2023 – PennDOT’s contractor is wrapping up ground-level improvements beneath Interstate 95 at the Girard Avenue Interchange, substantially finishing the fourth-of-six construction contracts (GR4) to rebuild I-95 at the interchange.
Following completion of the southbound viaduct and median area in 2022, workers are finishing underside improvements, placing overlay pavement on Richmond Street, and completing post-construction “punch list” items as PennDOT ramps up its Public Outreach program for the remaining two construction sections (GR5-6) that will finish I-95 reconstruction between the Allegheny Avenue and Interstate 676 interchanges.
Section GR6, the second-to-last GIR section, is tentatively scheduled for construction in late 2024 and will include southbound I-95 reconstruction — including ramp and bridge improvements — from Frankford Avenue to Race Street. Section GR5 will rebuild the opposite side of I-95 beginning in 2027.
With GR4 construction beginning in 2018, PennDOT has replaced the mile-long southbound viaduct between Palmer Street and Ann Street and reconstructed the southbound on-off ramps at the Girard Avenue Interchange. The northbound viaduct and ramps were reconstructed under Section GR3, which finished in 2018.
PennDOT has created a number of community-centric, public space improvements under I-95 at Girard Avenue. They include a multi-use trail that will be incorporated into the Delaware River Greenway that stretches along the waterfront; cobblestone pathways and dyed concrete pavement; rain gardens and rock-lined drainage basins; strips of planted grass areas, benches, and trees; pedestrian-friendly LED lighting; and small public parking areas are among the public amenities installed under I-95 between Palmer Street in Fishtown and Ann Street in Port Richmond.
Underground utilities along Aramingo Avenue were relocated, and street trees as well as painted bike lanes will be completed on Richmond Street following overlay paving this spring.
