Platt Bridge Construction Begins

A 2-year construction project on the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge begins Monday night.

Construction on the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge on Route 291 in Philadelphia officially began Monday night.

PennDot says the bridge will be restricted to one lane in each direction for the next two years because of much needed repairs. Pedestrian access will be maintained on the bridge during the project.

“The Platt Bridge moves thousands of motorists each day through Southwest Philadelphia,” said PennDot District Executive Lester C. Toaso. “The rehabilitation of this critical bridge will enable it to continue to safely carry vehicular and pedestrian traffic for decades to come.”

The $43 million rehabilitation project, financed with 80 percent federal and 20 percent state funds, is expected to be completed in June of 2014. Drivers are advised to use alternate routes or allow additional time for travel on the bridge.

The Bridge carries four lanes of Route 291 (Pennrose Avenue) over the Schuylkill River and handles an average of 56,000 vehicles per day.

PennDot says crews will paint the bridge’s steel truss and structural steel underneath the spans to protect them from the elements. Crews will also rehabilitate and resurface the center truss spans, concrete approach spans, repair structural steel, replace or improve expansion joints, repair concrete piers, repair and replace guide rail and replace damaged pedestrian railings.

PennDot broke the construction project down into four stages.

Stage 1: The contractor will work five to seven nights from 9:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. to set concrete barriers on both sides of the bridge. The barriers will restrict eastbound and westbound traffic to one lane. This stage is expected to last two months.

Stage 2: One eastbound and one westbound lane will run on the eastbound side of the bridge and the travel lanes will be separated by a concrete barrier. This stage is expected to last six months.

Stage 3: Both travel lanes on the westbound side of the bridge will be separated by a concrete barrier. This stage is expected to last 13 months.

Stage 4: One eastbound and one westbound lane will be back on their respective sides of the bridge for seven months. The bridge will reopen to two travel lanes in each direction at the end of stage 4.

The Platt Bridge serves as a major link between South and Southwest Philadelphia and as a direct connection to the sports complex. It's also a busy route to the airport and I-95.

"It's going to be backed up, it's going to be horrible," said one driver.

"I think that it's going to add to our troubles that we already have," said another.

"That's going to be a major problem I think not only for the universities that are down towards Delaware such as UDel and Widener, but especially Eagles tailgating," said Lauren Medvetz of Collingswood, New Jersey.

While PennDOT recognizes the construction will be a major headache for local commuters, they say the project is ncessary to maintain the bridge and keep it safe.

"I do see their point," said Medvetz. "A lot of the bridges in the area are really run down and do need a lot of repair work. But I think it's a major thoroughfare."

Check out the PennDot website for more information on the project.
 

Contact Us