PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced the planned closure of a section of westbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) in Philadelphia for critical bridge deck repairs. The closure will affect traffic from 9:00 PM on Friday, May 2, through 11:59 PM on Saturday, May 3, in the Grays Ferry neighborhood.
During the closure, westbound I-76 will be closed from the 34th Street on-ramp to the University Avenue on-ramp. The ramp from 34th Street to I-76 West will also be closed and detoured, while other ramps, including University Avenue and South Street access points to I-76 West, will remain open.
Drivers will be directed to use a regional detour route via I-95 North and I-676 West (Vine Street Expressway). Local traffic will follow a separate detour through Grays Ferry Avenue, Washington Avenue, 22nd Street, Walnut Street, and Schuylkill Avenue to rejoin I-76 West. Commuters should anticipate delays and avoid the area if possible, as congestion is expected both on and near the detour routes.
The weekend closure, weather permitting, will allow crews to repair deteriorated concrete sections on two bridge structures on I-76 West, including the spans over Grays Ferry Avenue and the Schuylkill River. Work will include the removal of existing concrete, application of epoxy-based patching materials, and resurfacing with dense graded asphalt to improve the durability of the bridge decks.
This closure is part of a broader schedule, with additional weekend closures planned later in May. PennDOT is coordinating efforts with local agencies, the City of Philadelphia, and regional stakeholders to mitigate impacts on traffic and events.
Electronic message boards along I-76 and nearby routes will provide advance notice and updates about the closures to assist motorists in planning their travel.
PennDOT urges drivers to exercise caution near work zones for the safety of workers and the public.
Stay ahead of the delays—visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center for up-to-date detour routes and real-time traffic updates!
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