South Street Bridge Construction to Start in December

On 11/10/08 Mayor Nutter announced that Driscoll Construction Company received a $67-million contract to reconstruct the South Street Bridge. Reconstruction will occur from 27th Street to Convention Avenue. The existing bridge will be demolished in December. Construction on the new bridge will be complete in approximately two years. Construction will close the entrance and exit ramps to the Schuylkill Expressway from South Street. The reconstruction is financed 80% from federal funds, 15% from state funds and 5% from city funds. Renovations will include fewer vehicle lanes, a lower speed limit, and wider pedestrian and bicycle lanes. The bridge reconstrucion is needed, yet, will be a great inconvenience to many of the students and employees at Penn, HUP and CHOP. Students currently living in Center City and the Graduate Hospital area will be able to cross at Walnut St.