Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Begins New Section of I-95 Interchange Project

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Begins New Section of I-95 Interchange Project

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. —  The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (Commission) is beginning reconstruction and widening of Interstate 276 (I-276) between the Neshaminy Falls Toll Plaza and Bensalem Boulevard (Milepost 352.6 to Milepost 355.07). This $90.5 million project is part of the broader I-95 Interchange Project, connecting Interstate 95 (I-95) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. This link made I-95 continuous throughout the Mid-Atlantic, reduced congestion on local Bucks County roads and improved traffic flow throughout the Philadelphia region and along the East Coast.

“Opening the I-95 connection was a historic milestone, but it was not the end of our work,” said PA Turnpike Commission Chief Engineer Brad Heigel. “This next phase builds off that investment by reconstructing and widening this section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, resulting in a modern roadway with greater capacity to support safer, more reliable travel through Bucks County and along one of the nation’s most important transportation corridors.”

The project adds travel lanes in each direction, extending from just west of Richlieu Road in Bensalem Township to the new Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge over Neshaminy Creek in Bristol Township. It follows the PA Turnpike’s long-term, system-wide program to rebuild aging sections.

Started in 1999, the Commission’s Total Reconstruction Initiative rebuilds the road from the ground up, adds an additional travel lane in each direction and increases shoulder and median width to support safety, reduce traffic queuing and enhance emergency responder access. To date, 174 miles of PA Turnpike mainline (the portion stretching from Ohio to New Jersey) have undergone Total Reconstruction.

Starting in September, crews will reconstruct the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s center median to prepare for future traffic shifts. This initial work will occur primarily at night, with lane closures expected from September through October.

Construction will proceed in phases. First, temporary concrete barriers will be installed to establish long-term shoulder closures and create space for tree clearing, earthwork and other construction activities beginning later this fall.

Crews will then build a new lane in each direction while traffic remains on the existing lanes. Once complete, traffic shifts onto them and crews reconstruct the roadway between. Two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction during peak hours for the duration of the project.

Additional improvements include new sound barrier wall construction, new stormwater drainage and stormwater management facility installation, demolition of the existing Neshaminy Falls Toll Plaza, and construction of a new Open Road Tolling gantry in its place.

Work on this portion of the roadway, known as Section C of the I-95 Interchange Project, is anticipated to continue through December 2029. Work on the adjoining portion, Section D30 will be completed this fall but will not open to three lanes of traffic until the entire section, including Section C, is complete. Section D30 adds new access gates at Milepost 355, cutting response time for fire personnel in half.

Once Section C is complete, the I-95 Interchange Project will then proceed with reconstruction and widening from Milepost 350.5 to 352.3.

The I-95 Interchange Project’s final piece in design is the Delaware River Bridge. In June, the PA Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike Authority announced the North Patial Impact (NPI) Alternative as their recommended preferred alternative. The agencies are continuing to study two alternatives, both north of the existing bridge, throughout the evaluation process as part of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. The PA Turnpike and NJTA will continue to gather input and FHWA will ultimately issue a Record of Decision indicating a selected alternative. It is anticipated that FHWA will issue a Record of Decision indicating a selected alternative in April 2028.

A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.

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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: 267-408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com 
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: 717-870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com