Rain delays I-95 construction yet again

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Inclement weather has again delayed the planned expansion of the I-95 construction zone in Philadelphia.

Originally scheduled for Monday, the construction was rescheduled for Wednesday night.

However, wet conditions last night forced crews to once again postpone work. And due to uncertain weather conditions Thursday and Friday, the operation has been rescheduled for Monday night at 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather-sensitive job involves the implementation of a new construction traffic pattern on northbound I-95 between Girard Avenue and Allegheny Avenue, as well as painting new traffic lines and shifting three lanes of northbound traffic to the right side of the highway.

Commuters will see an entirely new pattern Tuesday morning.

Crews will then work the following nights next week setting concrete barriers.

In the end, the current half-mile construction zone, which has been underway from Vine Street to Girard Avenue, will be expanded to almost two miles, from Columbia Avenue to just south of Allegheny Avenue.

PennDOT says plans to shift southbound traffic to the right side of the highway, between Allegheny and Girard avenues, is now scheduled to start Monday, June 23 at 10 p.m., setting the new traffic pattern in place by Tuesday morning, June 24.

In the meantime, crews will start shifting the southbound lanes in the current half-mile long construction section on Friday night.

Currently, delays through the construction zone average 30 to 45 minutes.

PennDOT is spending a billion dollars to rebuild the three mile stretch of I-95 between Race Street and Allegheny Avenue.

It started almost three years ago and won't be finished until late summer 2018.

Another four years of this is discouraging for people who live near the construction zone.

"Maybe I'll move between now and then," Frank Malinowski of Port Richmond said with a laugh.

More information on the project is available at 95revive.com.