Commuters faced delays in the Northeast on Monday after a vehicle fire under I-95 caused a portion of the major interstate to collapse over the weekend, setting the region up for a long period of reconstruction and travel headaches.
“It’s going to take longer than normal to get to work,” said Leslie Richards, head of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, at a press conference Sunday evening near the collapse site.
The northbound side of I-95 completely collapsed early Sunday after a commercial truck carrying a petroleum-based product caught fire, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said. The southbound side is not structurally sound to carry any traffic over it, he said.
Information about the cause of the fire would be released once an investigation is complete, Eric McLaurin, spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, said Monday.
State and regional officials created detours and are working on “further alternative methods” to ensure folks can safely get to where they need to go. “We’re also looking at interim solutions to connect both sides of I-95 to get traffic through the area,” Shapiro said.
I-95 collapse in Philadelphia:How did the section of the major interstate collapse?
Late Sunday, at least one vehicle was still trapped under the collapsed roadway, but there were no immediate reports of injuries, Shapiro said. “We’re still working to identify any individual or individuals who may have been caught in the fire and the collapse,” he said.
Demolition of the collapsed bridge was underway Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said.
Shapiro said he plans to issue a disaster declaration Monday so the state and city can receive federal funds to begin reconstruction of the heavily traveled artery. He said federal authorities have assured him that there will be “absolutely no delay” in approving the declaration and accessing federal assistance with rebuilding this “critical” transportation artery.
“I-95 is a critical roadway that supports our economy and plays an important role in folks’ everyday lives,” Shapiro said.
Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg was monitoring the situation, and President Joe Biden was also briefed. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was working with the Pennsylvania State Police to conduct a safety investigation.
Where is I-95 located?
The main north-south highway on the East Coast stretches from Florida through Maine to Canada. An average of roughly 160,000 vehicles a day travel through the area of the overpass collapse, according to state officials.
Is I-95 still closed?
A complete rebuild of I-95 roadway is expected to take “a number of months,” Shapiro said. He said his office will have a better timeline after state officials and engineers finish their structural review. “It is a remarkably devastating sight,” he said.
Where was the I-95 collapse?
The collapse happened near the Cottman Avenue exit, between Exits 30 and 32, in Northeast Philadelphia, according to the city’s Office of Emergency Management.
What part of I-95 is closed?
All lanes of I-95 are closed in both directions between Woodhaven and Aramingo exits, and some streets in the surrounding area are also closed for emergency response, the office said.
I-95 detour routes recommended
For people traveling on I-95 southbound, officials recommended using Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road) to U.S. 1 South to 76 East to 676 East. For people traveling I-95 northbound, officials recommended I-676 West to I-76 West to U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road).
Philadelphia residents should use regional public transits services, such as rapid transit, commuter rail or light rail, the city’s Office of Emergency Management said. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is adding extra capacity and services.
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‘It’s going to drastically change my commute’
The highway is a popular route for Philadelphia-area residents who work and vacation in Delaware and New Jersey. By Sunday afternoon, motorists were reporting backups on the Ben Franklin Bridge into New Jersey.
Nicole Direso, a resident of Trevose, Pennsylvania, was caught in the traffic returning from the Jersey shore. She said the delays added at least a half-hour to her trip. “I’m not the most patient person when it comes to traffic, and today was like a living hell for me driving home,” she said.
Maureen Gross, of Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, said she was hoping her Camden, New Jersey, employer will allow her to work from home. Otherwise, she is anticipating a long, grueling summer. “It’s going to drastically change my commute, on top of a not-so-great commute to begin with,” she said.
This isn’t the first time that an I-95 disaster has impacted her commute. In 1996, Gross was commuting to work in Delaware when a tire fire in Philadelphia resulted in severe structural damage to a portion of I-95, leading to a temporary closure, followed by lane limits that lasted for months during reconstruction.
Map of I-95 collapse
Contributing: Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times
