by KYW's Paul Kurtz

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is about to launch a 19-month project to repair two important bridges on the Schuylkill Expressway near the University Avenue interchange. And motorists are being warned to brace themselves for delays. 
 
Work will begin on March 10th to repair the aging, rusty bridges that span the Schuykill River, Grey's Ferry Avenue, and 34th Street (right). It is an area that is congested on normal days, but with construction crews setting up shop you can imagine what a pain in the neck this will be.

Penndot's Lester Toaso says they designed the project to keep two lanes open in each direction on the expressway except during overnight hours and certain weekends:

"There will be 12 weekends during this period when I-76 will be restricted to one lane in one direction on the bridges from 11pm to 5am -- six times this year between July and October in the westbound direction, and six times next year in June and July in the eastbound direction."

Penndot says it will try to avoid shutdowns and restrictions on weekends when there are multiple events at the stadium complex in South Philadelphia.