Two More Bridges Over I-676 in Philadelphia Scheduled to Close Thursday Morning

I-676 to Close at Night Next Week between I-76 and Broad Street 

King of Prussia, PA – The 19th Street bridge and the Free Library pedestrian bridge over Interstate 676 in Philadelphia will be closed for replacement early Thursday morning, October 1, as construction resumes on the $64.8 million project to replace seven structurally deficient bridges over I-676, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said today.
 
In addition, I-676 will be closed in both directions at night between the Interstate 76 and Broad Street (Route 611) interchanges on Monday, October 5, through Thursday, October 8, to set 13 steel beams for the new pedestrian bridge between 18th and 19th streets.
 
All scheduled overnight work along I-676 is weather dependent and may be moved to the following night in the event of rain.
 
Construction on this project was suspended on September 1, 2015, to allow the city to prepare for and host the World Meeting of Families and the visit by Pope Francis.
 
After midnight on Thursday, October 1, crews will close the 19th Street bridge, which carries southbound vehicular traffic and pedestrians over I-676 between Vine Street and Logan Circle, and the pedestrian bridge over I-676 connecting the Free Library on Vine Street with Logan Circle. Once the bridges are closed, crews will begin to dismantle the top side of the structures, including overhead lights, traffic signals, sidewalks and pavement.
 
During the closure of the 19th Street bridge, southbound motorists will be detoured east on Callowhill Street, south on Franklintown Boulevard, south on 17th Street and west on Arch Street back to 19th Street. Pedestrians can cross over I-676 by using the sidewalks on 18th Street or 20th Street.
 
In addition, Winter Street on the north side of the Franklin Institute between 20th and 21st streets will be reduced to one eastbound lane early Thursday morning, October 1, to realign its intersection with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and complete landscaping and hardscaping improvements. Westbound Winter Street travelers will be detoured north on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and left on 21st Street.
 
Motorists traveling south on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway also may experience minor lane restrictions Thursday morning, October 1, for line painting related to the Winter Street operation. Following the completion of work at this location in two years, Winter Street will remain one-way eastbound.
 
On Monday, October 5, through Thursday, October 8, I-676 will be closed and detoured in both directions from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM for the setting of beams for the pedestrian bridge at the former Family Court building. 
 
When I-676 east is closed, the following detours will be in place:

• From I-76 east: Exit at 30^th Street/Market Street (Exit 345); right at Arch Street; left at 30^thStreet; left at Market Street; left at 16^th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east;
• From I-76 west: Exit at 30^th Street (Exit 345); take Schuylkill Avenue to Market Street; right at Market Street; left at 16^th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east; and
• Traveling east on Benjamin Franklin Parkway intending to use the 24^th Street on-ramp: Follow Benjamin Franklin Parkway around Logan Square and bear right onto Vine Street east; follow Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east.   

When I-676 west is closed, the following detours will be in place for passenger cars and trucks to follow:

·        To I-76 East and West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15^th Street south; right on J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue and follow signs to I-76 east and I-76 west;
·        From 16^th Street north of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16^th Street north; right at Spring Garden Street; right at 15^th Street; right at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west; and
·        From 16^th Street south of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16^th Street north; left at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west.
 
Optional detours for passenger cars during the closure of I-676 west include:
 
·        To I-76 West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15^th Street south; right onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west; and
·        From 16^th Street north of J.F.K Boulevard to I-76 West: Follow 16^th Street north; left onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west.
 
The 19th Street bridge and the pedestrian bridges at the Free Library and former Family Court building are the first three of seven structures to be replaced under this project. PennDOT’s contractor also will replace the deteriorating bridges carrying 22nd Street, 21st Street, Benjamin Franklin Parkway/20th Street and 18th Street. Work on the 20th Street bridge will start later this fall and be built in three construction stages.
 
The seven bridges over I-676 are being replaced in two major stages to minimize traffic impacts. The project is scheduled to finish in fall 2019.
 
Buckley & Company, Inc. of Philadelphia is the general contractor on the $64,836,180 project. Construction is financed with 100 percent federal funds.
 
For more information on the I-676 project, visit www.bridgesover676.com.