WWB: Walt Whitman Bridge Interchange

Planning study to define needs and improve access along I-95 and I-76 in South Philadelphia

I-95 Section WWB

The Interstate 95 Walt Whitman Bridge Interchange Study area encompasses a busy stretch of highways in South Philadelphia that links the major interstates I-95 and I-76 with the Walt Whitman Bridge into New Jersey. The focus area of the study is I-95 from Morris Avenue to Pattison Avenue, serving as a gateway between industrial areas, sports stadiums, and nearby neighborhoods.

The interchange is a critical connector for commuters, freight traffic, and event visitors, but it faces challenges from outdated design and heavy use. Lanes narrow from four to three in each direction through the interchange, some highway-to-highway movements are missing, and drivers are often routed onto local streets, creating delays and confusion.

The infrastructure in this section is aging, with bridges and pavement originally built in the late 1960s and 1970s. While maintenance has kept them in fair condition, the structures no longer meet modern standards for safety and efficiency. The corridor is also physically constrained by surrounding rail lines, sewer infrastructure, and the Walt Whitman Bridge toll plaza, which limits design flexibility. Together, these factors make the interchange a critical but complex part of the region’s transportation network that will continue to face mounting pressure as traffic grows.

The Walt Whitman Bridge Interchange Study aims to address these concerns and provide direct interstate-to-interstate connections, reduce impacts on nearby neighborhoods and properties, and maintain access to major destinations in the area. The study also aims to improve multimodal options for transit, biking, and walking, while enhancing community green spaces such as athletic fields that serve as important resources for South Philadelphia residents.