Much progress has been made since construction began in summer 2000 to build new access ramps from Interstate 95 to Philadelphia International Airport. The foundations for all bridges being built on this project rest on steel piles that are driven into the ground. When reaching required resistance, the piles are cut at the appropriate ground level.
Crews then construct forms for the piers or abutments.
Reinforcing steel is placed inside each form. Completed forms are then filled with concrete. Ramp construction begins with excavation and placement of compacted fill material. Where room exists, embankment slopes are created. MSE retaining walls are constructed to hold the embankments in place where space constraints exist.