Editing Interstate 95 Philadelphia (section)

== History ==

Interstate 95 planning began in the 1950s as part of the Interstate Highway System authorized by the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956. The route through Philadelphia followed the Delaware River waterfront, chosen partly because this industrial corridor would require less residential demolition than inland alternatives. Construction proceeded through the 1960s and 1970s, with segments opening as they were completed.<ref name="penndot"/>

The highway's construction nonetheless demolished portions of neighborhoods including Society Hill, Queen Village, and others along the route. The elevated highway created a barrier between Center City and the Delaware waterfront, cutting off connections that had existed since the city's founding. This separation contributed to waterfront decline that would only be addressed decades later through cap and development projects.<ref name="penndot"/>

A notable gap in I-95 persisted for decades at the Girard Point interchange, where the highway ended and traffic had to use local streets before rejoining I-95. This gap, finally closed in 1985, illustrated the prolonged construction timeline and complexity of building highways through urban areas.<ref name="penndot"/>