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Repairs of Collapsed I-95 in Philadelphia to Take Months
Commuters warned to expect delays this summer
Firefighters respond to the scene of a collapse of Interstate 95, after a vehicle caught fire, in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. (Courtesy of KYW)
Firefighters respond to the scene of a collapse of Interstate 95, after a vehicle caught fire, in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. (Courtesy of KYW)MORE
Melanie Sun
By Melanie Sun
June 12, 2023
Updated: June 12, 2023
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Traffic along a major East Coast artery is likely to face months of delays after an elevated section of the I-95 highway in Pennsylvania collapsed on Sunday morning, state officials said.
The approximately 70-foot-wide northbound portion of the I-95 in Philadelphia fell through after a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo caught fire on an exit ramp under an overpass, quickly melting the steel support structures of the highway.
Transportation officials said fire from the petroleum-based cargo, which may have contained hundreds of gallons of gasoline, took about an hour to get under control. Commuters have been warned of extensive delays and street closures in Philadelphia’s northeast corner.
Buttigieg, who has assured him that there would be “absolutely no delay” in getting federal funds quickly to rebuild what he called a “critical roadway” as safely and efficiently as possible.
His office plans to issue a disaster declaration on Monday to expedite federal funds for the rebuilding of the major artery.
Officials from the Federal Highway Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are expected in Philadelphia to support the rebuild and investigation efforts.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation.
The collapsed portion was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said.
It is unclear how commuters will cope with the collapse on Monday.
A temporary plan with detours and additional Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus services is in place for the next 48 hours, but it will likely need to be revised later, officials say. The department is also working to expand capacity on existing roads and additional cars have been added on the city’s Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines.
Currently, the suggested detours for motorists are Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East, for southbound traffic; and I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) for northbound traffic.
“The challenges will be real when it comes to traffic movements in the city as a result of this incident,” Carroll said.
“We ask employers to be flexible with their workforces,” SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said. “It’s going to take longer than normal to get to work tomorrow.”
Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are expected in Philadelphia to support the rebuild and investigation efforts.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation.
The collapsed portion was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said.
It is unclear how commuters will cope with the collapse on Monday.
A temporary plan with detours and additional Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus services is in place for the next 48 hours, but it will likely need to be revised later, officials say. The department is also working to expand capacity on existing roads and additional cars have been added on the city’s Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines.
Currently, the suggested detours for motorists are Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East, for southbound traffic; and I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) for northbound traffic.
“The challenges will be real when it comes to traffic movements in the city as a result of this incident,” Carroll said.
“We ask employers to be flexible with their workforces,” SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said. “It’s going to take longer than normal to get to work tomorrow.”
The latest travel updates will be available at pa.gov/i95updates .
The fire was strikingly similar to another blaze in Philadelphia in March 1996, when an illegal tire dump under I-95 caught fire, melting guard rails and buckling the pavement.
The highway was closed for several weeks, and partial closures lasted for six months. Seven teenagers were charged with arson. The dump’s owner was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay $3 million of the $6.5 million repair costs, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Commuters warned to expect delays this summer
Firefighters respond to the scene of a collapse of Interstate 95, after a vehicle caught fire, in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. (Courtesy of KYW)
Firefighters respond to the scene of a collapse of Interstate 95, after a vehicle caught fire, in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. (Courtesy of KYW)MORE
Melanie Sun
By Melanie Sun
June 12, 2023
Updated: June 12, 2023
11 SHARES | FRIENDS READ FREE
Share Email
18 COMMENTS
Comment
0:00
7:07
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Traffic along a major East Coast artery is likely to face months of delays after an elevated section of the I-95 highway in Pennsylvania collapsed on Sunday morning, state officials said.
The approximately 70-foot-wide northbound portion of the I-95 in Philadelphia fell through after a tanker truck carrying flammable cargo caught fire on an exit ramp under an overpass, quickly melting the steel support structures of the highway.
Transportation officials said fire from the petroleum-based cargo, which may have contained hundreds of gallons of gasoline, took about an hour to get under control. Commuters have been warned of extensive delays and street closures in Philadelphia’s northeast corner.
Buttigieg, who has assured him that there would be “absolutely no delay” in getting federal funds quickly to rebuild what he called a “critical roadway” as safely and efficiently as possible.
His office plans to issue a disaster declaration on Monday to expedite federal funds for the rebuilding of the major artery.
Officials from the Federal Highway Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are expected in Philadelphia to support the rebuild and investigation efforts.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation.
The collapsed portion was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said.
It is unclear how commuters will cope with the collapse on Monday.
A temporary plan with detours and additional Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus services is in place for the next 48 hours, but it will likely need to be revised later, officials say. The department is also working to expand capacity on existing roads and additional cars have been added on the city’s Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines.
Currently, the suggested detours for motorists are Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East, for southbound traffic; and I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) for northbound traffic.
“The challenges will be real when it comes to traffic movements in the city as a result of this incident,” Carroll said.
“We ask employers to be flexible with their workforces,” SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said. “It’s going to take longer than normal to get to work tomorrow.”
Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are expected in Philadelphia to support the rebuild and investigation efforts.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation.
The collapsed portion was part of a $212 million reconstruction project that wrapped up four years ago, Rudolph said.
It is unclear how commuters will cope with the collapse on Monday.
A temporary plan with detours and additional Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus services is in place for the next 48 hours, but it will likely need to be revised later, officials say. The department is also working to expand capacity on existing roads and additional cars have been added on the city’s Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines.
Currently, the suggested detours for motorists are Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East, for southbound traffic; and I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) for northbound traffic.
“The challenges will be real when it comes to traffic movements in the city as a result of this incident,” Carroll said.
“We ask employers to be flexible with their workforces,” SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards said. “It’s going to take longer than normal to get to work tomorrow.”
The latest travel updates will be available at pa.gov/i95updates .
The fire was strikingly similar to another blaze in Philadelphia in March 1996, when an illegal tire dump under I-95 caught fire, melting guard rails and buckling the pavement.
The highway was closed for several weeks, and partial closures lasted for six months. Seven teenagers were charged with arson. The dump’s owner was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay $3 million of the $6.5 million repair costs, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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