Summer of Slowdowns: Chestnut Street Construction to Snarl Traffic

Road work - traffic alert

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia drivers and cyclists, brace yourselves for a summer marked by travel disruptions. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced a significant roadway construction project on Route 3 (Chestnut Street), part of a local safety improvement initiative set to kick off this Monday, April 1.

Spanning from early April through to the beginning of August, Chestnut Street between 32nd and 33rd Streets will see major changes to its daily traffic flow. Weekdays from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and on certain weeknights from 8:00 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning, the bustling thoroughfare will be narrowed down to just one lane. This restriction is expected to significantly impact the usual pace of traffic, causing notable backups and delays.

Cyclists, who frequently traverse this busy corridor, won’t be left unattended. PennDOT has crafted a detour specifically for bikers, directing them to use 33rd Street, Route 3 (Market Street), and 30th Street as alternate routes. This redirection aims to ensure the safety of bicyclists while facilitating the smooth progression of the construction work.

Motorists planning to travel through the affected area are strongly advised to allow extra time for their journeys. The combination of lane reductions and the influx of vehicles during peak hours is poised to create substantial congestion. As always, the timing and extent of the construction activities are subject to the whims of the weather, which could lead to adjustments in the schedule.

Drivers can check current road conditions by visiting the MyChesCo Traffic Center. Stay updated on the latest news and information from MyChesCo with our free newsletter. Follow MyChesCo on Twitter at twitter.com/MyChesCo and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/MyChesCo.

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