Drivers on Interstate 95 North near the Betsy Ross Bridge in Philadelphia will no longer have to zigzag through multiple construction zones.

A new traffic pattern will bring the highway a continuous stretch of tighter lanes and no shoulders.

PennDOT is shifting northbound traffic into the median along a roughly 2-mile stretch of the highway as crews begin a new phase of construction in Philadelphia’s Port Richmond neighborhood.

The work involves demolishing bridges to widen 1.3 miles of I-95, part of a larger construction project that has affected drivers for years.

“While there are three work zones, it used to kind of jog people around and shift people around, it’s all going to be continuous – all Northbound traffic will be shifted into that median for that stretch,” PennDOT Deputy Communications Director Brad Rudolph said.

The change means drivers will travel straight through the construction area instead of navigating a series of lane shifts.

“We expect it to move a little bit more freely, but certainly slower given the reduction in lanes and just the tighter configurations and comfort level for drivers in that section,” Rudolph said.

The new traffic pattern is expected to last at least two years.

PennDOT said speed cameras may eventually be used along the I-95 construction zone as traffic begins moving more freely.

The agency is emphasizing the importance of slowing down, particularly because construction workers will be operating close to active traffic lanes.

“It gets really tight in there, and workers are right up against those lanes. There will be signs, plenty of signs to slow down,” Rudolph said.

Construction on I-95 began in 2009, and three connected work zones are currently affecting the highway through Tacony, Bridesburg and Port Richmond. Access to the Betsy Ross Bridge from Castor Avenue was also recently restored.

PennDOT said the long-term goal is to create a safer, wider I-95 with improved ramps and connections designed to keep heavy traffic off nearby local streets.

For drivers who have spent years navigating construction, the latest changes are another chapter in a lengthy project.

“It probably started when I got my driver’s license. And it will continue until my kids get their driver’s license,” Alexis Ortiz of Port Richmond said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.