PennDOT changes I-676 closure plan for Thursday AM

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- PennDOT has changed the its plan for the overnight and early morning closure of Interstate 676 in Philadelphia on Thursday.

The agency said the plan is now to close BOTH eastbound and westbound lanes from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, weather permitting.

The original plan was to close just the eastbound lanes. The change was made because of inclement weather on Wednesday morning.

The remaining planned closures are:

Westbound lane closure on Friday, April 17, from 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

POSSIBLE eastbound or westbound I-676 closure Saturday, April 18, from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m.

PennDOT started the multi-year project earlier this week to replace seven bridges over I-676.

Department executives called the bridges 'structurally deficient' and 'deteriorating.'

PennDOT suggested the following detours during the overnight closures:

When I-676 west is closed, the following detours will be in place for passenger cars and trucks:

-To I-76 East and West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15th Street south; right on J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue and follow signs to I-76 east and I-76 west;

-From 16th Street north of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16th Street north; right at Spring Garden Street; right at 15th Street; right at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west; and

-From 16th Street south of J.F.K. Boulevard: Follow 16th Street north; left at J.F.K. Boulevard; right on Schuylkill Avenue to ramps to I-76 east and I-76 west.

Optional detours for passenger cars during the closure of I-676 west include:

-To I-76 West: Exit I-676 west at Broad Street (Route 611) Interchange; take 15th Street south; right onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west

-From 16th Street north of J.F.K Boulevard to I-76 West: Follow 16th Street north; left onto local Vine Street; right on Benjamin Franklin Parkway and follow around Eakins Oval and onto Spring Garden Street to the ramp to I-76 west.

When I-676 east is closed, the following detours will be in place:

-From I-76 east: Exit at 30th Street/Market Street (Exit 345); right at Arch Street; left at 30th Street; left at Market Street; left at 16th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east;

-From I-76 west: Exit at 30th Street (Exit 345); take Schuylkill Avenue to Market Street; right at Market Street; left at 16th Street; right at Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east; and

-Traveling east on Benjamin Franklin Parkway intending to use the 24th Street on-ramp: Follow Benjamin Franklin Parkway around Logan Square and bear right onto Vine Street east; follow Vine Street to the ramp to I-676 east.

PennDOT's said a contractor will replace two-span bridges carrying 22nd Street, 21st Street, Benjamin Franklin Parkway/20th Street, 19th Street, 18th Street, and the Free Library and Family Court pedestrian bridges over I-676 with single-span structures.

Support piers from the median of I-676 will be removed, that section will be paved, and other areas above 676 will be improved to make them "more pedestrian friendly and aesthetically pleasing."

For more information on the I-676 project, visit www.bridgesover676.com