A two-block portion of Spruce Street will be closed or restricted to vehicular traffic beginning Monday, March 18 to accommodate trolley track renewal work, according to an announcement by SEPTA. The project includes the excavation and renewal of the existing corroded and broken rail on Spruce Street between 40th Street and 42nd Street. The intersections at 40th and Spruce and 42nd and Spruce will not be impacted by this work.

Posted traffic detours will be erected and maintained around the work area in progress.

Normal construction hours will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or sometimes later. Occasional weekend work may also be needed to maintain the project’s timeline.

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PECO is continuing utility improvement work on 38th Street between Spruce St. and Woodland Ave., which began earlier this month. Starting today (Jan. 29) and for the next three weeks, PECO crews will be working in the intersection area of 38th and Spruce Streets.

Due to utility construction, lane reductions and intermittent closures are expected in this area during the following dates and times:

Week 1: Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Week 2: Feb. 5 to Feb. 11 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Week 3: Feb. 12 to Feb. 18 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through or near the work areas. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

PennDOT will conduct an inspection of the University Avenue Drawbridge between Civic Center Blvd. and Gray’s Ferry Avenue from Tuesday, June 25 to Thursday, June 27 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams has announced.

Due to the inspection, the four-lane bridge that crosses the Schuylkill River will be closed intermittently to all traffic, with four 15 to 30 minute openings on each day of the inspection. While traffic will be allowed to flow between openings, drivers and pedestrians should expect multiple, extended delays throughout the three-day inspection process.  Continue Reading

The Walnut Street ramp to I-76 East at 30th Street will close tonight at 7 p.m. for 25 days of construction, according to an announcement by PennDOT. Motorists will be redirected west on Walnut Street, left on 38th Street to University Avenue, and then south on 34th Street to access the ramp to eastbound I-76. The ramp is scheduled to reopen on Friday, June 14 (weather permitting).

The ramp repairs are part of PennDOT’s $103.6 million project to rehabilitate the Chestnut Street bridge over the Schuylkill River and seven other nearby structures, including the westbound I-76 ramp to 30th Street and the Walnut Street on-ramp to eastbound I-76 at 30th Street. The Chestnut Street bridge over the Schuylkill River is scheduled to close for approximately one year beginning in mid-June for major rehabilitation — including steel repairs, repainting and re-decking.

For more information about the project, visit chestnutstreetbridges.com.

SEPTA has announced a trolley track replacement project at 40th and Spruce, which will affect traffic in the area for eight days at the beginning of next month. From Saturday, March 2 to Sunday, March 10, Spruce Street will be closed between 38th and 41st Streets, and 40th Street will be closed between Locust and Spruce Streets for the duration of this work, with the exception of emergency vehicles, deliveries, and trash pick-up.

Local traffic will be permitted up to the construction site, and walking access will not be restricted during the project. Penn Dental Medicine and Ryan Veterinary Hospital will be accessible during this closure.  Continue Reading

This is this time of year again when the Penn’s campus portion of Spruce Street gets closed to allow a smooth move-in for students.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22 and Wednesday, Aug. 23, Spruce Street will be closed to all traffic (including bicycles) from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 26, Spruce Street will be closed from 38th to 40th Street, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Septa buses will be rerouted around the closure (please check septa.org for specific bus routes and detour info). Penn Police will be on scene to assist with traffic detours.