$10M Study Announced to Cover I-95 Around Penn's Landing

In his last press conference last week, outgoing Mayor Michael Nutter announced a $10 million study to cover a portion of I-95 along the Delaware River waterfront. The study, funded by the state and federal government, will focus on potentially capping the area around Penn's Landing, including the interstate and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets. Currently, pedestrians have to walk over the interstate via the South Street Pedestrian Bridge from Old City to Penn's Landing. In his farewell address, Nutter said, ""I think everybody has recognized, in the whole scheme of things, replacement of I-95 and the damage that its done to this city and a number of others is pretty clear."

Rendering by Hargreaves Associates/redsquare

The potential capping is part of a master plan for the Central Delaware River Waterfront that's been in the works for years now. In April 2014, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation released a general concept plan that included the capping, as well as an 11-acre park, extending the South Street Pedestrian Bridge, and a multi-use trail to connect Penn's Landing to Philly neighborhoods. The total estimated cost of the project is estimated to be $250 million, and is expected to bring in $1.6 billion in revenue.

According to NBC10, there is no official timeline for the $10 million study.

·In Final News Conference as Philly Mayor, Michael Nutter Says He Wants to Bury 95[NBC10]
·2014 Penn's Landing Feasibility Study [DRWC]