Overnight closures on westbound Interstate 76 at 30th Street are set to resume on February 9, 2024, as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recommences construction on overhead bridges. This project had been temporarily suspended due to adverse winter weather conditions. The work will continue for several months and is part of a larger effort to rehabilitate bridges that carry Market Street over Amtrak, I-76, the Schuylkill River Trail, and CSX Railroad.
Details of the Construction Project
Starting on February 9 and lasting through June 1, 2024, westbound I-76 will be reduced to one lane between the 30th Street and Interstate 676 interchanges from 21:00 to 22:00, Sundays through Thursdays. The expressway will be fully closed and detoured during overnight hours, from 22:00 to 05:00.
During these closures, drivers will be directed to exit at 30th Street and travel west on Schuylkill Avenue to access the ramps for I-76 West and I-676 East. PennDOT has warned that motorists should anticipate significant backups and delays while the work is ongoing. All construction activities will depend on weather conditions.
The bridge improvement project encompasses a range of enhancements, including partial demolition and replacement of the superstructure on the Market Street bridge over Amtrak and I-76. The initiative also involves replacing deteriorated decks and sidewalks on adjacent bridges and constructing a new single-span bridge over the Schuylkill River Trail and CSX Railroad.
Upgrades and Community Impact
Additional improvements will include reconfiguring Market Street pavement from Schuylkill Avenue West to 23rd Street, aimed at better accommodating vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Planned upgrades feature wider sidewalks, turning lanes, and a protected two-way bicycle lane with concrete separators. New bicycle signals, Intelligent Transportation Systems enhancements, and upgraded highway, bridge, and navigation lighting are also part of the project.
Further work will focus on repairing river walls along the Schuylkill River, addressing settlement issues with pedestrian stairways, preserving the Walnut Street Bridge, and adding a parking-separated bicycle lane along Walnut Street between 33rd and 22nd streets.
As the region braces for several months of overnight closures on one of its busiest corridors, drivers are advised to plan ahead and stay informed about traffic conditions. For real-time updates on traffic, detour information, and lane closure alerts across Philadelphia and surrounding areas, PennDOT encourages motorists to visit the MyChesCo Traffic Center before traveling.
To keep abreast of developments in Chester County and the surrounding area, following MyChesCo on Google News and MSN is recommended.
