PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced that a portion of westbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) in the Grays Ferry neighborhood will be closed next weekend to facilitate critical bridge deck repairs. The closure is part of a broader effort to address deteriorating infrastructure and improve travel safety in the region.
The affected section of the expressway, between the 34th Street and University Avenue on-ramps, will be closed from 9:00 PM on Friday, April 11, until 5:00 AM on Monday, April 14. During this period, the ramp from 34th Street to westbound I-76 will also be closed. However, the University Avenue and South Street ramps to westbound I-76 will remain open.
Drivers planning to travel westbound during the weekend should prepare to follow designated detours. The official regional detour route directs westbound motorists to utilize I-95 North and I-676 West (Vine Street Expressway). Local traffic will exit near 34th Street and be routed through Washington Avenue, 22nd Street, Walnut Street, and Schuylkill Avenue to rejoin I-76 West.
The repairs include concrete deck restoration on two bridges carrying westbound lanes of I-76 over Grays Ferry Avenue, Wharton Street, Reed Street, the Schuylkill River, and CSX rail tracks. Work will involve milling existing concrete, addressing structural deficiencies with rapid-setting materials, and applying a dense bituminous overlay to protect against water damage and improve durability.
“This essential repair aims to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the expressway,” noted PennDOT representatives. Weather permitting, additional weekend closures for similar repairs have been scheduled for May.
Motorists are urged to avoid the work zone, as significant delays are anticipated on I-76 West and nearby surface roads. Stay ahead of delays—visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center for real-time updates and alternate route guidance during the I-76 weekend closure!
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