The construction of Interstate 95 cut off Philadelphia from its riverfront. The park will help restore access.
The nearly 12-acre park to be built over I-95 is not only a “big deal” for Philadelphia, but the state, Gov. Josh Shapiro said Wednesday at the official groundbreaking for what will be known as the Park at Penn’s Landing.
The movement for reconnecting the city to the waterfront via a structure over the federal highway began with an executive order under the administration of Mayor John F. Street in the early 2000s. But it took years of meetings, planning, and finding funding to move to fruition through the administrations of Mayors Michael Nutter and Jim Kenney.“The original construction of I-95 was traumatic for the city,” Kenney said. “Properties were demolished.
PennDot secretary Mike Carroll said the project is estimated to cost about $360 million for design and construction. Private partners including the William Penn Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Knight Foundation are collectively contributing $25 million for park amenities. The nonprofit Delaware River Waterfront Corp. is a partner with the city on the project. The Federal Highway Administration is also involved. Philly-based Buckley & Co. Inc. is the general contractor.
A separate South Street bridge will allow people to walk or bike over both I-95 and Columbus Boulevard and onto the Delaware River Trail, which runs from South Philadelphia north to Penn Treaty Park with plans to extend it farther north.Plans for the park call for gardens, a cafe, large timber pavilion, and amphitheater. Thenow at Penn’s Landing would be dismantled and relocated to the new park.
Major work includes demolition of bridges at Chestnut and Walnut Streets, the existing cap over I-95, and the Great Plaza.
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