Construction shuts down part of Interstate 95 northbound in Philadelphia this weekend

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Major construction on Interstate 95 will cause some traffic headaches in Philadelphia this weekend.

Starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, one lane was closed on I-95 North between Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) and I-676 (Exit 22).

At 6 p.m. Saturday, all three lanes of I-95 North were closed from Exit 20 to Exit 22. Several ramps were also closed, including the following:

• Ramp to northbound I-95/I-676 from Washington Avenue at Columbus Boulevard

• Ramp to northbound I-95 from Lombard Circle at Columbus Boulevard

• Ramp to northbound I-95 from westbound I-76 from New Jersey/Walt Whitman Bridge

• Ramp to northbound I-95 from Front Street

The closure of the northbound lanes runs from 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 5 between Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) and Interstate 676 (Exit 22).

The only possible hitch in this plan could be the weather, PennDOT said. They will push back the closure if there is heavy rain, however there is no snow or rain in the forecast.

The closure heavily impacted people trying to get to Saturday's Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets game at the Wells Fargo Center.

Many fans took public transportation or followed detours to get to the game.

Construction is part of I-95 CAP project

This is all being done to allow for demolition that's part of the I-95 CAP project. The project will replace and expand the existing covered area over 95 between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, with a park that is nearly 12 acres.

The project, which costs about $329 million, is slated to be done by spring 2028. PennDOT says these closures of 95 North, and eventually 95 South, will allow the project to stay on time.

More I-95 closures in Philly to come

This will be the first of four closures that will need to happen on I-95 to accommodate demolition.

There will be two closures of I-95 North and then two of I-95 South.

The dates of the remaining three closures are still being determined, but PennDOT hopes to schedule them for some time this winter or spring.

"The weekend closures will allow PennDOT and contractors to accelerate the demo process over several months, having to implement nighttime closures," noted Brad Rudolph, the deputy communications director of PennDOT.

Drives urged to start planning for I-95 North detours

Anyone who needs to use that stretch of I-95 North during the closure is urged to use GPS that weekend to find the right detour.

PennDOT has warned the GPS programs to account for the closure.

"We gotta make it work, I mean there's no other way to look at it," said Jarrett Bryant from North Philadelphia. "Do what we can do to get around it."

As residents prepare for the extra traffic this weekend, they say they look forward to the result.

"We need it. It's going to be looking better, anything for the city," said Booker Clark from South Philadelphia.

Many also say they will be accounting for the extra traffic when they head out on their morning commutes on Monday.

"Take your time, get to work, leave a little early, (and) that's about it," said Clark.

They say Philadelphia police and state police will be assisting, and they are starting to put up signs to warn drivers.

PennDOT released the following details about how the closures will impact drivers and pedestrians:

• Pedestrian access between Center City and the waterfront will be maintained on Dock Street and Market Street during construction.

• During the closure, access to I-95 North - but not I-676 West - will be available at the ramp from Summer Street at Columbus Boulevard just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge; or by continuing north on Columbus Boulevard to the Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23).

• To reach I-676, motorists will be directed to either continue north on Columbus Boulevard, turn left on Spring Garden Street, and left on 6th Street to access I-676 East; or take Spring Garden Street and turn left on 8th Street to access westbound I-676. Motorists can also continue north on Columbus Boulevard to the Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23) and use I-95 South to access I-676 West.

• Traffic heading north on I-95 from south of the Walt Whitman Bridge, and traffic on westbound I-76 from New Jersey, will be advised to use I-76 West and I-676 East to access I-95 North.

• A number of additional regional and local detours will also be in place in the vicinity of the work area. Electronic message boards on I-76, I-276, I-476, and other regional transportation arteries in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey will be used to alert motorists about the closure and provide specific alternate routes.

PennDOT has also published maps with suggested detours around the construction zone on its website.