Column Crack Leads to Emergency Closure of Chestnut Street Bridge Connection From Old City to Penn’s Landing

PennDOT closed a portion of Chestnut Street that links Penn's Landing to Old City in Philadelphia due to a crack in a support pier.

Officials found a crack in a support pillar east of Columbus Boulevard near the parking area -- skating rink -- at Penn's Landing Wednesday night and then proceeded to close the bridge to traffic that goes over Intestate 95 from Front Street to Penn's Landing.

Repairs on the 32-year-old bridge began Thursday and will last around two weeks. Traffic should begin moving again on the bridge sometime this weekend, said PennDOT.

The Chestnut Street Bridge remained closed Thursday as PennDOT crews worked to repair a crack in one of the support piers. NBC10’s Matt Delucia has an aerial view of the bridge and explains how an inspection last spring first shed light on structural concerns.

Crews detoured traffic in the area north and south on Front Street (pedestrians can continue to use the bridge). NBC10 First Alert Traffic reporter Jessica Boyington suggested using Dock Street to Race Street to Columbus Street and the Spruce Street bridge to get around the issue.

The closure didn't impact traffic on I-95 nor Columbus Boulevard.

PennDOT said the span was last inspected in April and that the fix was expected to begin next week but was pushed up after someone spotted the issue Wednesday. Part of the repairs include building a support structure, removing the damaged section then building a permanent support.

Officials said that it will take about $80,000 to fix the crumbling concrete column.