Realignment of I-95 in Port Richmond Phila & Conrail Via

[jfrey40535]

I read in our local neighborhood newspaper that over the next few years, PennDOT will be moving I-95 closer to the Delaware River and will be relocating part of Richmond Street to do so. In the process, the bridges that cross Richmond Street will be removed, and part of the viaduct will need to be realigned. I figured this was the best place to put this forum since it directly affects CSX/NS moves in the yard. It will hopefully also have some positive impacts on SEPTA's Route 15 trolley which currently has alot of problems with that bridge, since the bridge has height restrictions.

Any of you who want to railfan the area, or have memories of it in the past, this summer would be a good time to document things as they are.

If anyone has good photos of the yard in the past, I'd be interested in seeing them.

[BrianM]

Yes, Richmond Street will be moved over, closer to the yard. Some homes/buildings will be coming down. The will be making I-95 wider. They will need to move some of the rail. The MoW track crews have already started their survey of the area.


Brian

[jfrey40535]

The article I read said no homes would be affected.

[BrianM]

The plans that I know of and have seen have a few, but not many, homes and some business that will go. There will also be 2 new Junction Ramps built.

Brian

[glennk419]

I've also heard reports of an I-95 tunnel through the Penns Landing / waterfront area to allow greater access to the waterfront. I'm not sure how that would work out with the EL, let's hope it doesn't turn into Philly's version of the Big Dig.

[kevikens]

That tunnel and the realignment of I 95 will permit, and it's in the plans, for a light rail operation on Chestnut and Walnut from 30th St Station to Penns Landing and then north and south on Delaware Ave. If so it could easily connect with the PCC operation on Richmond St. With the opening of the riverfront casinos on Delaware Ave. the whole region could be dramaticaly altered in, say, 10-12 years.

[JimBoylan]

At the 4/18/7 meeting of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's Goods Movement Task Force, the presentation showed that the temporary Northbound Allegheny Ave. Exit from I-95 will run between the 2 Easternmost tracks in Port Richmond Yard. The switch to connect these tracks to the Port Richmond Branch will be West of I-95.