New I-76 ramp part of plan to improve traffic around South Philadelphia Sports Complex

A new $30 million investment from Pennsylvania and support from Philadelphia's four major sports teams will help improve traffic around the stadiums in South Philly, officials say.

The money will support a new entrance ramp to I-76 westbound, a traffic operations center, new signs and 19 new smart traffic signals, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro's office.

Shapiro announced the infrastructure plan Thursday in a news conference at Citizens Bank Park.

The ramp would connect traffic from 7th Street to I-76 west. Traffic improvement projects are targeted for completion by the end of 2028.

Shapiro said the traffic flow upgrades are necessary and will support the new Sixers and Flyers arena set to be completed in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex by 2030. Others said this will help support the Navy Yard and the Bellwether District on the site of the former Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery along the Schuylkill River.

Several stakeholders, including executives with the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers organizations, said the sports complex is a key driver of the region's economy, hosting more than 300 events and 8 million visitors annually.

Upgrades to the Front Street ramps onto I-95 were completed earlier this month as part of the plan.