Philadelphia, PA

The 85-year old South Street Bridge in Philadelphia will be torn down and rebuilt in a $67 million project that will make it more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly and donned with decorative lighting.

Driscoll Construction Co. was awarded the contract to build the new bridge, announced Mayor Michael Nutter's office. Most of the money to fund the project will come from the federal government, which will pitch in 80 percent of the costs, with the state shouldering 15 percent and the city 5 percent.

Demolition of the old bridge, which carries 23,000 vehicles a day, will begin next month by R.E. Pierson Construction Company. Construction of the new bridge will take an estimated two years to complete. It will mean detours. South Street will be completely closed to traffic from 27th Street to Convention Avenue. There will be no access to the entrance and exit ramps to the Schuylkill Expressway from South Street.