PHILADELPHIA — If you drove into Center City this morning and felt like you were navigating a maze, you weren't imagining things. The city has officially entered "Phase Pain" of the construction projects leading up to America’s 250th birthday.
PHILADELPHIA — If you drove into Center City this morning and felt like you were navigating a maze, you weren't imagining things. The city has officially entered "Phase Pain" of the construction projects leading up to America’s 250th birthday.
While the end result—a transformed waterfront and a pristine Benjamin Franklin Parkway—will be stunning, the road to getting there is paved with orange cones. Here is the breakdown of the major closures hitting Philadelphia right now that you need to factor into your commute.
1. The "Big Squeeze" on I-95 Begins
The massive $329 million project to "cap" I-95 and reconnect Old City to the waterfront has hit a critical new stage this month.
Starting in February, crews are beginning Phase 1 of the steel deck beam placement. These massive beams are being set over the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 near Penn's Landing.
- The Impact: Expect lane shifts on I-95 and lane restrictions on Columbus Boulevard and Front Street.
- The Watch-Out: The Market Street ramp to I-95 South remains closed (a headache that has persisted since last year) and isn't expected to reopen until later this month at the earliest. If you rely on this ramp to get to the airport or the stadiums, stay on Columbus Blvd to Morris Street instead.
2. Logan Circle: The "Inner Ring" is Gone
If your commute takes you down the Parkway, you’ve likely noticed the bottleneck at Logan Circle.
The innermost travel lanes around the circle are closed and will remain shut down through spring.
- What's Happening: The Streets Department is ripping up and reconstructing the sidewalks and upgrading curb ramps to granite to make the area ready for the global spotlight in July.
- Pedestrian Alert: You cannot walk up to the Swann Memorial Fountain right now; access is fenced off.
3. South Street's New Skyline
Down by the river, you might see heavy machinery gathering in the parking lots near South Street. Workers are beginning assembly on the new "tied-arch" extension for the South Street Pedestrian Bridge.
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Viral Sight: Later this year, they will roll the massive 1.3 million-pound arch across Columbus Boulevard, but for now, the prep work is eating up parking and adding to the congestion near the piers.
The Bottom Line
We are in the final sprint to the Semiquincentennial. The city is asking for patience, but let’s be real: you’re going to need a good playlist and an extra 20 minutes.
Tip: If you can take the Broad Street Line or the El into Center City this month, do it. The view from underground is dark, but at least it's moving.
