Editing Delaware Waterfront (section)

== Transportation Challenges ==

Interstate 95's presence along the waterfront creates the most significant obstacle to reconnecting Philadelphia with its river. The highway, which carries over 150,000 vehicles daily through the city, occupies waterfront land while its elevated structure creates barrier that limits views and access. Proposals to relocate or tunnel the highway have proven prohibitively expensive, leaving planners to work around the existing infrastructure. Improved pedestrian crossings, eventually a cap over portions of the highway, and creative design of spaces adjacent to the road represent more feasible strategies.<ref name="vitiello"/>

The proposed Penn's Landing Cap—a park built over I-95 to connect Center City directly to the waterfront—represents the most ambitious current proposal. The project would provide continuous green space from Old City to the river's edge, fulfilling long-standing visions for waterfront connection. The cap's cost, complexity, and ongoing maintenance requirements present substantial obstacles that planning and advocacy continue to address. The project's fate will significantly influence the waterfront's long-term character and the degree to which Philadelphia can reclaim its riverfront identity.<ref name="gallery"/>