As we reported earlier, the University Avenue/34th Street Bridge over the Schuylkill river has been closed for repairs since Jan. 2 for approximately three weeks. As it was expected the area near the bridge is congested and motorists are advised to take detours over Grays Ferry Avenue, Woodland Avenue and 38th Street.

Penn and city police are deploying additional overtime officers to assist motorists in congested areas and to assist with traffic control at some vital intersections. One of the problems that the police are dealing with during the bridge closure is illegal U-Turns from the Westbound I-76 South Street ramp to the Eastbound South I-76 South Street ramp. “U-turns on the South street bridge is both illegal and hazardous, and negatively impact the congestion,” reads a Traffic Advisory by Penn Public Safety.

After a week-long service disruption due to the fire at Elena’s Soul, Route 34 trolley has resumed normal operation this morning. SEPTA advises to expect some residual delays while full operations are restored.

The University Avenue/34th Street Bridge crossing the Schuylkill River in the Grays Ferry section will be closed for repairs and cleaning for approximately three weeks beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2, according to a PennDOT announcement. The bridge is part of a common route to access Interstate 76.

The bridge will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians. During this period drivers should expect an increase in traffic and are advised to detour over Grays Ferry Ave., Woodland Ave. and 38th St. The bridge, which is a double-leaf drawstring bridge, has been in operation since 1930 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

In addition, Penn Public Safety has posted an announcement that Spruce Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 34th Street to 38th Street from 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Friday, Jan. 4 to 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, for installation of a crane. Drivers are advised to follow marked detour signs during this time.

Shuttle buses have been replacing Route 34 trolleys between the 40th Street portal and 61st Street since Monday due to the fire at Elena’s Soul. We’ll let you know when the trolley resumes its service. In the meantime, here’s more information on the shuttle bus route.

Westbound (via Chester Ave)

– Right at 42nd St.

– Left at Baltimore

– Left onto 49^th St.

– Right at Springfield

– Right at 50th St.

– Left at Baltimore, resuming regular routing

Eastbound (via Baltimore Ave)

– Right at 50^th St.

– Left at Springfield

– Left at 49^th St.

– Right at Baltimore

– Right at VA Medical Center Dr.

– Right on Woodland and back to 40^th Street, resuming regular routing

Despite the two stop signs, vehicles routinely blow through the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Springfield Avenue.

A cyclist was reportedly seriously injured last night when she collided with a car at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Springfield Avenue, a notorious intersection that includes heavy pedestrian and bike traffic and where cars often don’t stop.

The accident happened at about 11 p.m. and the cyclist was wearing a helmet and her bike had lights, one witness said. The cyclist appeared to be unconscious when the ambulance arrived. A witness also said that a pedestrian stopped the car that hit the cyclist.

A reader, Kelly, who lives on Baltimore wrote to us about the accident and included a warning to pedestrians to stay alert near the intersection. We are trying to get more information on the woman’s condition.

Kelly writes:

“In the last month 3 separate bicyclists have been hit at this intersection. I don’t know the young person that was hit and I hope she is okay but it was not a pretty site. Thankfully a pedestrian saw her get hit and stopped the car. My partner and I were home and heard the accident happen and while she called 911 I ran out to see if I could help. Needless to say this intersection is horrible and I make it a point to never cross there unless absolutely necessary. Basically I would love the message to get out to those crossing at that intersection to please be aware of the cars that neither look, slow down, or care if you are walking/biking and if you can avoid crossing there do it. It would be amazing if we could do away with the intersection all together making those cars turn on 45th at the light and making them slow down, stop, and consider the others that occupy the roads/crosswalks.”

A temporary “no parking” sign near 49th and Larchwood.

Here’s the good news: Crews will be filming part of an episode of a new NBC drama in West Philly tomorrow. Kind of cool. The bad news is that if you live within a few blocks of 49th and Larchwood, there’s a good chance that you will need to find a new place to park until Friday. And if you live a few more blocks away, your favorite spot might be gone by the time you read this.

The filming of Do No Harm, a modern-day “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” focusing on a neurosurgeon with a secret, starts filming on Thursday morning. But a ban on parking on streets near 49th and Larchwood begins this evening (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. and ends Friday morning at 1 a.m.

The streets reportedly run from 47th to 50th and Larchwood to as far south as Catharine. Neighbors on the impacted blocks (about seven blocks in all) should have received a flyer notifying them of the parking prohibitions (a reader named Renee tipped us off to this whole thing) and it looks like the streets have been posted. The production company has the proper permits from the City.

If you have any questions about the filming, call the production company’s local office at 215-977-2897 (see the flyer below).

In case you are wondering, Do No Harm premiers on Jan. 31, 2013 after the finale of 30 Rock.

The flyer sent to residents. Thanks to reader Renee.