Driscoll Construction Co. earned special recognition recently for its South Street Bridge project in Philadelphia, Pa.

The Springhouse, Pa.-based company’s work on the vital Schuylkill River crossing was ranked number one out of 10 of the “2011 Top Bridge Construction Projects” in the United States by Roads and Bridges Magazine.

The $67 million reconstruction project began on Dec. 8, 2008, and opened one month ahead of the anticipated 24-month schedule. The 1,800-ft. (548.6 m) long bridge and viaduct reopened to traffic during the evening of Nov. 6, 2010.

Driscoll Construction, the general contractor on the project, was responsible for delivering the completed bridge so quickly to Philadelphia.

The job included demolition, removal and complete reconstruction of the existing structure carrying South Street over CSX freight lines, the Schuylkill River, I-76 east- and westbound, University of Pennsylvania athletic fields, Amtrak Northeast Corridor tracks and SEPTA regional rail lines.

More than 30,000 drivers, transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians use the bridge each day. The new bridge features dedicated bicycle lanes that are 6 ft. 4-in. (1.9 m) wide. The sidewalks of the new bridge are 2 ft. (.6 m) wider than the sidewalks on the old bridge. The new bridge also features four pedestrian look-out areas beneath the glass towers, which will be lit with LED lighting.

New pedestrian entrances provide access to the University Regional Rail Station and the University of Pennsylvania’s Hollenback Hall. CEG

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