News Summary
Major construction activities are ongoing for the I-95 expansion and Penn’s Landing Park project. Key developments include work on the eastern abutment and support pier at Penn’s Landing, the Market Street ramp reopening, and the upcoming South Street Pedestrian Bridge extension. The project aims to enhance connectivity between Center City and the waterfront, featuring an 11.5-acre civic space with various amenities. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to expect minor disruptions due to these construction efforts.
Philadelphia – Major construction efforts continue this fall on the Interstate 95 (I-95) expansion and the new Penn’s Landing Park project. Work is currently focused on the eastern abutment and support pier for the cover extension over Columbus Boulevard at Penn’s Landing. The completion of this pier is a crucial step, as it will pave the way for the installation of steel deck beams over both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-95.
The first phase of beam installation is set to conclude by mid-2026, with the subsequent deck installation for Christopher Columbus Boulevard planned from November 2026 through February 2027. Notably, there will be a non-working holiday period from mid-December through early January during which construction activities will pause.
In addition to the ongoing work on the support pier, construction on the Market Street ramp to southbound I-95 is expected to wrap up in early December. After being closed for several months, this ramp will reopen at the end of the year, allowing for improved access for vehicles.
Another significant feature of the I-95 expansion is the South Street Pedestrian Bridge extension, which is anticipated to begin assembly in early 2026. This bridge will provide enhanced access to Penn’s Landing from Center City by traversing over Columbus Boulevard. While the existing pedestrian bridge remains operational, users may experience minor interruptions throughout the construction period.
During the construction phase, pedestrians and cyclists can use Dock and Market streets to travel between Penn’s Landing and Front Street. Surface-level utility work that was conducted by PECO and Comcast was completed in spring 2025, although sewer facility installations at Penn’s Landing and along Columbus Boulevard will continue until fall 2025. Additionally, PECO, Comcast, and Verizon are slated to install further surface-level facilities at Front Street in the fall of 2025.
Motorists can expect to encounter minor lane shifts on I-95 and adjacent ramps, as well as lane restrictions on Columbus Boulevard and Front Street, due to the ongoing construction activities.
This extensive project is budgeted at approximately $328.9 million, with funding derived from a combination of federal, local, and private sources. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) aims to construct a larger cover over I-95 and Columbus Boulevard in the area between Chestnut and Walnut streets. The I-95 Central Access Philadelphia (CAP) Project is centered on enhancing connections between Center City and the waterfront for pedestrians, bicycles, and multi-modal transportation systems.
The new Park at Penn’s Landing, part of the overall development, will create an 11.5-acre civic space that features gardens, play areas, flexible open spaces, and a mass-timber pavilion, contributing to the beautification of the area and promoting public engagement. Memorials honoring Irish and Scottish heritage currently located at Spruce Street will also be returned to a designated permanent area as part of the new I-95 cover.
For additional details, updates, and travel alerts regarding the I-95 expansion and Penn’s Landing Park, residents and travelers can visit the respective project websites.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- 95Revive: CAP Construction Update Summer 2025
- Wikipedia: Interstate 95
- NBC Philadelphia: Evening Construction on I-95
- Google Search: I-95 expansion Philadelphia
- Metro Philadelphia: I-95 South Closures Center City
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Penn’s Landing
- 92.5 XTU: Overnight I-95 Construction Work
- Google News: Penn’s Landing Park construction
- Northeast Times: PennDOT I-95 Reconstruction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Philadelphia
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
