I have my own private theory that somewhere lost in the mists of time, William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and George Platt sat down together and decreed that no two major traffic arteries in Philadelphia were allowed to dircetly intersect. Instead, all major higways must be connected via intermediary roads.

It’s a goofy theory, but it would explain why commuters going east on 76 have to coast by Sunoco’s big tanks to the Platt bridge if they ever want to access Rte. 95.

And this morning was even more adventurous than that.

Anyone who’s driven this stretch will remember the three way fork: go right to continue on 76 east; or center to Passyunk or Oregon; and left to go through this curving underpass to route yourself via the tankers, the bridge and 95.

This morning–at least when I was on the roads–the left option was blocked by big ol’ PennDot trucks. I’m guessing it was flooded. I hit Passyunk for about 50 feet, then cut a quick left that put me right back on the access road for the bridge.

Any other good solutions out there?

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