Chestnut Street Bridge closing for one year of construction

The popular Chestnut Street Bridge is closing tonight for a full year of construction, according to a statement from PennDot.

Over the next year, the Department of Transportation will repair and re-deck the 62-year-old bridge as part of a larger $103.6 million project. The project lasts through 2020 and includes rehabilitating seven other nearby structures, including Schuylkill Avenue viaducts over I-76 and the wall between the river and I-76.

The Chestnut Street Bridge, which carries about 18,664 vehicles per day, will be closed to everyone, including bicyclists and pedestrians. PennDot suggests crossing the river at the Market Street Bridge or the JFK Boulevard Bridge to the north. Access to the Schuylkill River Trail from Chestnut Street will also be closed.

In addition to the bridge, PennDot is reducing I-76 westbound to one lane and closing it overnight for repainting next week.

PennDot plans to tackle several maintenance projects at the bridge over the next year, including creating wider sidewalks; repairing and repainting the steel superstructure; installing new lighting, and creating a dedicated bike lane.