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Travel Advisory

Grays Ferry Avenue Reduced to Single Lane at Night August 3-6 for Bridge Construction in Philadelphia


August 1, 2020 – Grays Ferry Avenue will be reduced to a single lane with flaggers between 34th Street/University Avenue and 47th Street in Philadelphia on Monday, August 3, through Thursday, August 6, from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning for construction activities to rehabilitate the bridge carrying Grays Ferry Avenue over the Schuylkill River, Amtrak/SEPTA and CSX railway tracks, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today.

Crews will be completing drainage work as part of the $14 million project to repair and rehabilitate the bridge’s structural components, upgrade its drainage system, repair and repave its concrete deck, install new sidewalks and protected bicycle lanes, and complete several improvements to Grays Ferry Avenue on both sides of the bridge.

All scheduled activities are weather dependent. Motorists should allow extra time for travel through the work area.

Work on this project will be in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and state Department of Health guidance as well as a project-specific COVID-19 safety plan, which will include protocols for social distancing, use of face coverings, personal and job-site cleaning protocols, management of entries to the jobsite, special signage and relevant training.

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PennDOT Extends Expiration Dates on Driver Licenses, ID Cards, and Learner’s Permits

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner’s permits, will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Effective July 23, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through August 31, 2020, have been extended until August 31, 2020. These extensions are in addition to those announced on June 25.

A camera card is considered a driver’s license, so it is covered by the same terms and conditions extending other driver’s license products. Camera cards with expiration dates within this timeframe are also extended through August 31, 2020.

Additionally, limited services are available at some Driver License and Photo License Centers. For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.   

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and schedule a driver’s exam. There are no additional fees for using online services.

PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will communicate any changes with the public.

More COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.

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Federal REAL ID Enforcement Deadline Postponed to October 2021

Harrisburg, PA –The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the Department of Homeland Security has postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19 and the national emergency declaration.

PennDOT closed all driver and photo license centers on March 16 and paused REAL ID issuance in the state out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health. Centers will reopen no sooner than April 3. PennDOT also sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, requesting that the agency consider extending the October 1, 2020 REAL ID enforcement deadline.

“We are very pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has listened to our concerns, as well as the concerns from our fellow states regarding the need for a postponement on REAL ID enforcement in the midst of this national emergency,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Yassmin Gramian.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver’s licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes. A federally-acceptable form of identification (whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc.) must now be used on and after October 1, 2021, as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires a federally acceptable form of identification ID for access.

REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs once issuance has resumed.

More information about document requirements, including a printable document checklist, can be found on the Document Check page of the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Customers may complete various transactions and access multiple resources via  www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

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PennDOT, PA Turnpike Announce the Start of Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) today announced that enforcement of the statewide Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program begins next week. Today marks the end of a 60-day pre-enforcement period that was required by Act 86 of 2018, which established the AWZSE program.

“Through the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, we are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention while driving, especially through work zones where roadway conditions can change on a daily basis,” said acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “In 2018, 23 motorists were killed in a Pennsylvania work zone. Ultimately, this program is not about issuing violations, it’s about saving lives.”

Pennsylvania’s AWZSE program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices. AWZSE systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Beginning today, registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice and $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice and $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses. These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

Work zones are selected to maximize the effectiveness of the systems and will be marked with signage in advance of the enforcement area. Additionally, locations are posted on the project website, WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

“While there can be fines assessed, the AWZSE program’s goal is not to generate revenue,” explained PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “The goal is to build awareness and most importantly, to change unsafe driving behaviors. The program serves as a roadway reminder that safety is literally in each driver’s hands when they are behind the wheel.”

In 2018, there were 1,804 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 23 fatalities, and 43 percent of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and/or injuries. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 89 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.

For more information on the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

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Winter 2019/2020 Construction Update

Construction Continues on Eastbound Side

Winter 2019/2020 — With repairs completed to the westbound side of the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge over the Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia, two lanes of traffic have been shifted onto the rehabilitated westbound lanes as the contractor continues to repair the eastbound side of the span.

During the current construction stage, crews are replacing the existing expansion dams, which allow normal expansion and contraction of the bridge deck’s individual concrete slabs due to seasonal changes in temperature.

The eastbound deck’s pavement overlay has been removed to allow workers to repair deteriorated areas of the existing deck.

The bridge’s drainage system also is being replaced.

The contractor also has begun repairs to the deck’s steel structural components and replacement of deteriorated “beam seats”, where the structural members rest atop the concrete support piers.

In addition to bridge deck and superstructure repairs, crews also continue repairs to the concrete abutments and support columns underneath the bridge.

As part of the improvements to the bridge, PennDOT will install a 10’-wide, barrier protected pedestrian/bicycling lane to the eastbound side of the bridge once the structural repairs are completed and the final pavement overlay is applied. The protected lane will connect directly with access to the Schuylkill River Trail that runs under the bridge.

The project is expected to be completed in late 2020.

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Notice

PennDOT Evaluating Protected Bike Lane Westbound

August 15, 2019 – PennDOT is currently evaluating changes in the construction plans for the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge improvements that would include a protected bicycle lane on the westbound side of the bridge. We will post follow-up information about this matter when it is available.

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Wolf Administration Announces Start of Construction on I-76 Viaducts

March 25, 2019

Wolf Administration Announces Start of Construction on I-76 Viaducts

King of Prussia, PA – The Wolf Administration announced today that construction will begin Thursday, April 4, on a project to rehabilitate two Interstate 76 (Schuylkill Expressway) viaducts, including the 6,120-foot-long structure between the Interstate 676 and University Avenue exits in Center City Philadelphia and a 345-foot-long structure over Route 23 and Arrowmink Creek in West Conshohocken, Montgomery County.

“Pennsylvania’s ongoing bridge inspection program has been closely monitoring these heavily-used, 60-plus-year-old structures to ensure that they continue to function as designed,” Governor Tom Wolf said. “Their analysis of the hundreds of structural components that comprise each viaduct points to the need to address the inevitable deterioration now so as to safely handle the demands of tens of thousands of motorists who use the Schuylkill Expressway each day.”

The two-year project will require numerous overnight single lane closures and full closures in one direction at a time, as well as a limited number of weekend daytime single-lane closures or full overnight closures on either the eastbound or westbound expressway in Center City.

For the first two weeks of construction, the contractor will be working on Thursday through Sunday nights on both the eastbound side and westbound side of I-76 in Philadelphia to clear work zone drainage inlets, complete surveying activities, and perform other preliminary work items prior to the start of repairs on the eastbound side of the viaduct that will continue through the end of 2019.

The contractor’s short-term work schedule is:

  • Thursday, April 4, through Sunday, April 7, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, eastbound I-76 will be reduced to a single lane between the I-676 and University Avenue interchanges; and
  • Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14, from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning, alternating eastbound or westbound single lane closures will reduce I-76 to one lane between the I-676 and University Avenue interchanges.

No on- or off-ramps within the work zone are scheduled to be closed during these preliminary construction activities.

Under this project, PennDOT will rehabilitate the 289-span Center City Philadelphia viaduct and the three-span Montgomery County bridge over the 2019 and 2020 construction seasons by repairing or replacing the concrete decks’ expansion joints; repairing deteriorated sections of their concrete decks; rehabilitating numerous piers, columns and other sub-structure components; repairing the viaducts’ drainage systems; and repaving the decks with a concrete overlay.

Repairs to the eastbound side of the Center City viaduct are scheduled to be completed in 2019. Repairs to the westbound side of the Center City viaduct will finish in 2020.

Repairs to the structure in West Conshohocken are expected to begin in May or June 2019 and will be completed by November 2019.  These repairs will be done using single lane overnight closures seven days a week between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

During repairs to the Center City structure, one side of the expressway at a time will be reduced to a single lane or closed completely overnight. In addition, one side of the expressway at a time will be reduced to a single lane during weekend daytime hours a minimum of ten times eastbound (in 2019) and ten times westbound (2020) on non-holiday and select weekends.

Allowable times for these restrictions are as follows:

Weekday Nighttime Single Lane Closures Eastbound or Westbound


  • Monday nights through Friday mornings: 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM

Weekday Nighttime Full Closures Eastbound or Westbound


  • Monday nights through Friday mornings: 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM

Weekend Nighttime Single Lane Closures Eastbound or Westbound

  • Friday nights through Sunday mornings: 9:00 PM to 10:00 AM
  • Sunday nights through Monday mornings: 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM

Weekend Daytime Single Lane Closures Eastbound*


  • Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM to Saturday nights at 10:00 PM
  • Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM to Sunday nights at 9:00 PM

Weekend Nighttime Full Closures Eastbound**

  • Friday nights at 11:00 PM through Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM
  • Saturday nights at 10:00 PM through Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM
  • 
Sunday nights at 9:00 PM through Monday mornings at 5:00 AM

Weekend Daytime Single Lane Closures Westbound*


  • Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM to Saturday nights at 10:00 PM
  • 
Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM to Sunday nights at 11:00 PM

Weekend Nighttime Full Closures Westbound**


  • Friday nights at 11:00 PM through Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM
  • Saturday nights at 10:00 PM through Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM
  • Sunday nights at 11:00 PM through Monday mornings at 5:00 AM

* Maximum allowable weekend daytime single lane closures is ten times eastbound and ten times westbound.
** Anticipated weekend overnight full closures is ten times eastbound and ten times westbound.

Overnight right lane and shoulder closures also may occur on the westbound side throughout 2019 and 2020 for construction activities to repair support columns on the underside of the viaduct.

In addition, on and off ramps within the Center City work zone will be closed and detoured in coordination with the scheduled lane restrictions and full closures. Ramps that will be impacted include:

  • University Avenue/Exit 346B Westbound On Ramp
  • University Avenue/Exit 346B Eastbound Off Ramp
  • South Street/Exit 346 Eastbound On Ramp
  • South Street/Exit 346A Westbound On Ramp
  • South Street/Exit 346A Westbound Off Ramp
  • South Street/Exit 346A Eastbound Off Ramp
  • Walnut Street/Exit 345 Eastbound On Ramp
  • I-676/Vine Street Expressway/Exit 344 Westbound Off Ramp

Information about the project, including each week’s planned lane restrictions and/or closings, is available at the project website: www.i76viaduct.com.

J.D. Eckman of Atglen, Chester County, is the general contractor on the 100 percent federally-funded project.

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Wolf Administration Announces Start of Construction to Rehabilitate U.S. 1 Roosevelt Expressway Viaduct

February 8, 2019

Wolf Administration Announces Start of Construction to Rehabilitate the U.S. 1 Roosevelt Expressway Viaduct

King of Prussia, PA – The Wolf Administration announced today that construction will begin Wednesday, February 13, on a project to rehabilitate the half-mile-long Wayne Junction Viaduct that carries U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) over SEPTA tracks and the Nicetown section of Philadelphia.

“This rehabilitation project will result in a structurally sound viaduct that will safely and efficiently handle the demands of the more than 125,000 motorists who use the expressway each day to connect between Northeast Philadelphia and the Schuylkill Expressway with its connections to Center City and the western suburbs,” Governor Tom Wolf said.

Under this project, PennDOT will rehabilitate the 15-span, 2,600-foot long steel multi-girder structure by placing a new concrete deck; repairing structural steel and deteriorated concrete in the substructures; cleaning and painting; and replacing bearings, downspouts and scuppers.

The project also includes installing new directional signing along U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway); upgrading Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) components; and rehabilitating the bridge carrying Fox Street over U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway).

Beginning Wednesday, February 13, crews will begin repairs to the concrete piers that support the northern section of the viaduct between Germantown Avenue and 18th Street. Following inspection of the piers to identify areas needing repair, crews will use lightweight pneumatic tools to remove areas of deteriorated concrete. The deteriorated sections of the piers will be repaired with concrete this spring.

Crews will work from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays, depending on weather conditions. When completed on the northern end of the viaduct, the operation will move to south of Germantown Avenue, where work will be coordinated with SEPTA, CSX Railroad and Comcast facilities under the viaduct and continue until spring.

The scheduled activities will not impact vehicular or pedestrian travel on the viaduct or any of the surface streets beneath the viaduct.

Work is also scheduled to begin this spring to improve the intersection of Fox Street and West Abbotsford Avenue, which will be used as a detour route for the Cayuga Street on-ramp to southbound U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway). That ramp will be closed when staged construction on the top side of the viaduct gets underway later this year.

The ramp will remain closed until fall 2022 to safely maintain two lanes of southbound U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) during staged construction. PennDOT will maintain two lanes of traffic in both directions on the U.S. 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) during peak travel times during all stages of viaduct repairs.

South State, Inc. of Bridgeton, N.J. is the general contractor on the $88,456,609 project which is financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds. The entire project is expected to be completed in late 2022.

The project design and anticipated construction activities were coordinated with the Nicetown Community Development Corporation. Project elements including lighting and paving were added as a result of this outreach and paint color for the rehabilitated viaduct was selected by the community.

For more information on the Wayne Junction Viaduct Improvement Project, visit www.us1wav.com.