Text Size
  • A
  • A
  • A
Share

PHOTOS: These Beautiful Shots of 95 Revive Will Give You New Perspective on the Construction


Photography by Michael Klusek

Most Riverwards residents are familiar with the Revive 95 project due to the recent work on interchanges at Girard Avenue and Aramingo Avenue, causing headaches for commuters and folks living near the construction area. The photos accompanying this article, however, show inconvenience does not exclude beauty.

The proposed end results of the project are optimistic for Riverwards’ residents as well.

new I-95 lanes

“Others are exploring ideas at ground-level to connect Philadelphia’s River Wards to the Delaware Riverfront and bring other quality-of-life touches to those living, working, and moving in and around the neighborhoods adjacent to it,” Revive I-95’s website said.

Improvements include the Penn Treaty Park Gateway, a project involving the construction of a new parking lot and “new landscaping, public art and lighting improvements” at northwest intersection of Columbia and Delaware Avenues to transform the “pedestrian experience.”

underpass I-95

Another improvement is the Richmond Street Streetscape located North of Girard. Upon the completion of the project, multiple modes of transportation will be accommodated with the installation of 10-foot wide sidewalks, bike lanes, trolley tracks and a turning lane.

The Riverwards are affected by any changes in the mobility of I-95.

“I-95 is also a critical intermodal road… Any decision made affecting the flow of traffic on I-95 will result in a domino effect on all means of mobility in the region,” the website said.

removing the old railing

Despite being inconvenienced by detours or the reconstruction of interchanges, the Riverwards community is able to get involved with Revive I-95 through the Sustainable Action Committee (SAC), created in mid-2010.

Members of SAC include representatives from community groups, businesses and non-profits from the project area. Discussions revolve around street-level improvements, like those listed above.

Through Digging I-95, PennDOT is also attempting to educate residents on the area’s history in a virtually interactive way.

Digging I-95 reports about the artifacts uncovered by archaeological excavations completed before construction on I-95 started and specifically targets the neighborhoods of Northern Liberties, Kensington, Fishtown and Port Richmond.

Some artifacts found so far include a clay tobacco pipe manufactured in Kensington and the heads of porcelain dolls made for children.

Bio swale by the new I-95

Pedestrians’ safety is another goal of the project.

“The years and usage of Pennsylvania’s I-95 have taken a toll on the condition and capacity of the roadway and bridge structures, creating disruptions that impact both users and neighbors throughout the corridor,” Revive I-95’s website said. “Some segments are beyond the point of maintenance. Bridge structures and roadway need to be repaired/reconstructed before they become unsafe and unusable.”

blue bridges

Revive I-95 is much more than a detour you have to take or an added 20 minutes to your daily commute. It is a chance for the enhancement of the infrastructure of the Riverwards community. Community members are able to get more involved in the Riverwards’ history and the current changes occurring.

Revive I-95 is also a way to see there is a positive to everything; sometimes you just need a better angle.

I-95 Revive in progress

The Spirit | Hyperlocal done differently
Advertise Now

Related News