Bad news for residents and workers in University City, Naval Square, So-So and Graduate Hospital areas of Philadelphia -- their major link to the area highway system is about to get cut.
The South Street Bridge -- a major connector between Center City and University City -- will close starting in December. It comes as no surprise to those who use the crumbling bridge.
The entire bridge needs to be replaced and this will take around two years. The $67 million project is being funded 80 percent by the federal government, 15 percent state and 5 percent local.
The announcement was made by Mayor Michael Nutter and PennDOT officials Monday. Details on the entire plan can be access at the Philly's South Street Bridge Web page.
About 23,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day. These drivers must find alternate routes.
The first South Street Bridge was opened in 1876 -- it has been in its current drawbridge incarnation since1923.
Public transit hasn't utilized the dilapidated bridge for the last few years because it was determined to be "structurally deficient."
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
There will be no access to South Street between 27th Street and Convention Ave. during the project. This closure includes entrances and exits on I-76, all roadways and pedestrian sidewalks.
Bikers, drivers and walkers who use the bridge will need to use alternate routes to cross the Schuylkill River will be the Walnut St. or Chestnut St. bridges.
