Frequently Asked Questions
A PennDOT representative on the project will be assigned to coordinate with the community throughout construction. In addition, we will provide regular look-ahead schedules of planned work activities on the website to keep the community informed. You can also contact us directly by following this link and submitting a message.
The general contractor and subcontractors on the project will use personnel from the city’s various trade unions, which also have apprenticeship programs. As part of the project’s equal employment opportunity affirmative action program, the contractor, working through the various trade union apprenticeship programs, will provide on-the-job training aimed at developing candidates toward full journeymen in the type of trade or job classification involved. Interested members of the community can contact the Philadelphia Building Trades Council or any of the region’s construction trade unions for more information on employment possibilities.
Most of the work is taking place high above the surrounding surface streets. However, there will be short term impacts on surface streets when the debris shield is attached to the underside of the bridge. There also may be short term restrictions on surface streets and sidewalks during other construction operations such as painting.
Prior to the start of construction in any given area, the contractor will install a debris shield to the underside of the viaduct to prevent anything from falling to the pavement or sidewalks under the viaduct.
Yes, the paint that was originally used to coat and protect the viaduct’s steel components contains lead.
During the cleaning and removal of old paint from the viaduct, the work area will be enclosed in a protective tarp that prevents any dust escaping. All of the material that is removed from that section will be vacuumed out and stored in a sealed containment vessel for safe disposal.
Yes, air-monitoring stations will be in place at each of the paint removal containment areas and at other areas within the work zone.
Construction of this scale involves certain operations that are inherently noisy. PennDOT will monitor the project to ensure that construction noise does not exceed City of Philadelphia noise ordinances.
Most of the construction will take place during normal working hours. However, there are a number of construction activities that require lane closures on the viaduct, and these activities will take place during overnight hours and occasionally on weekends.
PennDOT will install two LED lights mounted on each pier face.
In addition to lighting, the area under the bridge will be re-paved and many of the artifacts from past usages of the area will be removed, such as light pole foundations and parking bollards.
No, construction vehicles will be parked under the bridge and not on streets. Construction materials will be stored under the bridge.