3 Reasons Traveling in the Philly Region Is About to Hurt

Road work and labor problems could create headaches.

The Philadelphia region is on the verge of experiencing some pretty big travel-related headaches. Three reasons, all of which may come to fruition this weekend:

New construction on I-95: “The $212 million project between Girard and Allegheny Avenues will last until 2018, adding to the woes of I-95 travelers already slowed by major reconstruction at Cottman Avenue.”

A possible strike this weekend by SEPTA’s Regional Rail workers: “SEPTA locomotive engineers and railroad electrical workers have said they plan to go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, following SEPTA’s decision to impose management’s terms to settle a long-running labor dispute.” The two sides have a last-ditch meeting Friday morning to try to avert the shutdown.

The summer-long closure of the I-495 bridge in Delaware: Round-the-clock work on repairs to the tilting bridge could result in only a partial re-opening by Labor Day.

The result? “Hundreds of thousands of commuters, vacationers, and business travelers face daily delays as drivers seeking alternate routes spill onto other highways.”

[The Inquirer]