Since the beginning of this month, PennDOT has been doing rehabilitation work on Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge, which connects the Kingsessing neighborhood in Southwest Philly with the Grays Ferry neighborhood on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. The bridge was built in 1976 and includes four lanes of traffic in both directions.

Here’s what motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians should expect in the next couple of years (the entire bridge rehabilitation project is expected to be completed in late 2020).  Continue Reading

Some of SEPTA’s trolleys have again been decorated with twinkling lights, festive wreaths, and shiny ornaments for the holiday season, putting commuters in that holly, jolly spirit. Two “jolly” trolleys are hitting the rails this month, thanks to operators Gary Mason and Dave Musgrave, who used hundreds of lights, yards of garland and tons of ornaments, all to make the season brighter for their passengers.

The festive trolleys can be found on the following routes:

• Trolley #9001, operating on Route 15, Tuesday-Friday from 12:24-10:49 a.m.
• Trolley #9055, operating on Route 36, Monday-Friday from 10:56 a.m.-8:40 p.m.  Continue Reading

The Philadelphia Marathon returns this weekend, with two main events, the Dietz & Watson Half Marathon and 25th annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Marathon being held on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The city has announced road closures and other restrictions ahead of the event that brings thousands of people to the streets.

Streets will be closed in many parts of the city this weekend. Delays can be expected. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, avoid areas along the race course, and allow for extra driving time. Due to increased security in the Parkway area, parking and traffic regulations will be strictly enforced. Street closures are implemented on a rolling basis and will occur as runners go by.  Continue Reading

Chestnut Street between 30th Street and Schuylkill Avenue will be reduced to two travel lanes and a bicycle lane for approximately six months due to construction on the Schuylkill Avenue viaduct, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced.

Motorists have also been alerted about a new traffic pattern set up by PennDOT crews earlier this week. Under the traffic pattern, motorists turning left onto Schuylkill Avenue to access westbound Interstate 76, Interstate 676 or Market Street will use the left lane on Chestnut Street, potentially causing significant backups and delays on Chestnut Street.  Continue Reading

Street improvement work has been happening on 40th street since last month with temporary street closures and parking restrictions during work hours. According to a new announcement by the Penn Public Safety Division, 40th street between Walnut and Locust will be closed to all vehicles between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., on Tuesdays through Fridays, beginning Tuesday, Aug. 28. These traffic restrictions will last approximately five weeks until October 2, according to the announcement.

Police will be on scene to assist with traffic detours during these weeks.

Penn students are moving in this week and as usual during this time of year, a portion of Spruce street will be closed to all traffic, including bicyclists. Penn Division of Public Safety has announced the following street closures:

• Tuesday, Aug. 21: Spruce Street will be closed from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 22: Spruce Street will be closed from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 25: 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 during the days and hours.