By: Jacob Smedley
A section of one of the busiest highways on the East Coast is getting a new look along a stretch of roadway in Philadelphia. Construction of a new pedestrian park above Interstate I-95 near Penn’s Landing is underway. The initial stages of the Central Access Philadelphia project have already impacted city travel.
For over 48 hours during one early weekend, drivers navigated around three closed northbound lanes while residents dealt with limited sidewalk space and loud machinery. In coordination with the Philadelphia Streets Department, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) picked times that did not conflict with major city events. The first stage of the process involves removing the Chesnut Street bridge that currently covers the interstate.
Brad Rudolph, PennDOT’s Deputy of Communications, said starting in March there would be no more full weekend closures.
“It’s a major corridor that trucks and a lot of travel,” Rudolph said. “One-hundred-and-thirty to 175,000 inceptions that use that every day. It’s an inconvenience. We tried to pick the best times.”
The weekend of closures was the first of at least four planned during the beginning months. One driver navigating the closures was South Philadelphia resident, Michael Varallo. As a Penn State, Brandywine student and basketball player, Varallo uses I-95 daily to travel to Media for classes and practice.
Despite the longer travel times, Varallo understands short-term sacrifices are made for long-term benefits.
If it takes longer, it takes longer,” Varallo said. “We need safe roads. We need things to prevent traffic.”
Like Varallo, some other residents around the construction site felt similarly. Eion Ward, who lives at the corner of 2nd and South St – just blocks from the detours, said he has heard friends and coworkers’ concerns, but feels it is important to get the project right.
“I do know a lot of people are grousing and griping about this whole thing. The end game is progress for the city, and with progress comes temporary disruption.”
The pedestrian park that’s in the works will sit on top of a highway cap that covers Interstate 95 and connects Old City with Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River. The 11-acre space will include a playground, skating rink, and swimming pool in the summer.
The park is expected to be finished and ready for park patrons in time for spring 2030.
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