Photo courtesy of PennDOT.The Pennsylvania Department of Transportationâs (PennDOT) $64.8 million project to rebuild bridges over Interstate 676 in Philadelphia is right on schedule, according to PennDOTâs Assistant Press Secretary Gene Blaum, Pennoni Associatesâ designer Jim Pezzotti, and Urban Engineersâ construction manager Dave Palmer in speaking with the Philadelphia (Phillymag).
PennDOT began the four-year, two-part project a little over a year ago with plans to replace seven bridges over the interstate with new bridges that are expected to last 75 years.
Stage 1 includes four bridgesâ20th Street, 19th Street, and two pedestrian bridgesâwhich are expected to be complete in June of 2017. Stage 2 will include the bridges at 18th, 21st, and 22nd streets and has a projected completion date of November 2019. The project also includes several landscaping and hardscaping initiatives, including granite benches and pavers, aesthetic treatments, street lighting, and wider walkways for pedestrians.
Famous statues in the area have been encased in wood and vibration monitoring technology has been installed to ensure they are not damaged during the construction process.
âThey took a base reading just to see what the day-to-day pre-construction vibrations would be,â Pezzotti told the news agency. âSo far, so good. There hasnât been anything thatâs adversely affected the sculptures.â
The construction schedule and a photo gallery, as well as before-and-after renderings can be found online.
