Traffic & Transportation

PennDOT's bridge deck repairs will close part of Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia on I-76 East for 3 weeks

Updated on: September 27, 2024 / 5:14 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

PennDOT says partial Schuylkill Expressway closure will not impact Philly sports stadium traffic

PennDOT is planning to close part of I-76 East, also known as the Schuylkill Expressway in the Grays Ferry neighborhood this weekend and the next two weekends.

Officials at PennDOT said the three-week closures are for bridge deck repair starting Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 13 on a part of I-76 East shortly after the Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue [Exit 346B] ramp to right before the 34th Street on ramp.

Here are the dates and times when the same section of the Schuylkill Expressway on I-76 East will be closed and detoured according to the release:

9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.
9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, to 4 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, to 6 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.

The closures will allow "PennDOT's contractors to repair sections of deteriorated concrete deck and resurface the structure that carries I-76 East [Schuylkill Expressway] over the Schuylkill River and CSX rail tracks, and the adjacent land structure that carries I-76 East over Grays Ferry Avenue, Wharton Street and Reed Street," officials said.

I-76 East alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/uGxGOsF0v7
— 511PA Philadelphia (@511PAPhilly) September 12, 2024

"The structure is in fair condition, it's not about the structure itself. It's about going through the winter months and then into the warmer months and getting potholes and the roadway, really on top, deteriorating," Brad Rudolph, deputy communications director of PennDOT, said.

According to the release, there's a detour of Vine Street Expressway on I-676 East to I-95 South, or I-476 South to I-95 North and traffic will be directed to exit at Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue [Exit 346B] and use the University Avenue Bridge/34th Street to access the ramp to Schuylkill Expressway on I-76 East.

All ramps coming and going to the Schuylkill Expressway on I-76 East will be open during the closure. Even with the ramps being open, PennDOT officials still ask drivers to avoid the closure area during the weekend if possible due to backups.

Bridge deck repairs will close parts of Schuylkill Expressway

Drivers can check for updates at 511PA.com.

The closure was initially scheduled to begin Saturday, Sept. 21 but the start date was later delayed to Sept. 27.

Taleisha Newbill

Taleisha Newbill is a digital content producer at CBS Philadelphia. Taleisha has previously worked at NBC affiliate WOWT and FOX 42/KPTM in Omaha, Nebraska. She covers breaking news, crime, entertainment and feel-good stories.