Expect months-long highway mess after I-95 collapse, governor says
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The collapsed portion of I-95 in Philadelphia on June 11, 2023. Photo: Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management
One of Philly's busiest highways is a cratered mess following a tanker fire and collapse Sunday morning.
Driving the news: Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a disaster declaration Monday so the state could access federal funding for repairs to I-95 that are expected to take months to complete. The disaster declaration freed up $7 million in state aid to help with the rebuild.
- The interstate remains closed in both directions between the Woodhaven Road and Aramingo Avenue exits. The northbound lanes "completely collapsed" and southbound lanes were compromised and must be demolished, PennDot Secretary Mike Carroll said during Monday's news conference.
- The demolition could take four to five days, Carroll said. Crews already brought in heavy machinery to remove debris from the collapse.
Why it matters: The collapse will create major traffic problems: I-95 is one of the state's busiest highways, carrying up to 160,000 drivers each day, transportation officials said, warning drivers to expect detours and delays.
What's happening: Shapiro said Sunday that least one vehicle was still trapped under debris.
- Unidentified human remains were discovered Monday in the wreckage of the tanker fire, 6ABC reported. Nathaniel Moody, who drove for a Pennsauken trucking company, was still unaccounted for, family members told the outlet.
- Carroll said the driver lost control while navigating a curve but deferred comment to the medical examiner when asked about any fatalities.
What they're saying: The governor observed the devastation during an aerial tour of the collapse. "I found myself thanking the lord that no motorists who were on I-95 were injured or died," he said Sunday as the work continued.
Catch up quick: A tanker truck carrying around 8,500 gallons of fuel caught fire Sunday underneath the overpass near the Cottman Avenue exit. Dispatchers were called to the collapse site at 6:22 am, and the fire was contained later in the day.
- A limited amount of fuel leaked into drainage that runs to the Delaware River, per the Coast Guard. But officials brought in booms to contain the spread of any runoff, Shapiro said.
- There's no reported threat to Philly's water, officials said.
Of note: I-95 is the main north-south highway on the East Coast, spanning nearly 2,000 miles from Maine to Florida. Construction of the highway began in 1959 and was completed in 1979.
- The collapsed section was part of a $212-million reconstruction project completed four years ago, per the Associated Press.
📌 What we're watching: Detours were set up to alleviate traffic flow and motorists should use regional public transit if possible.
- For those traveling southbound: Officials recommend using Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East to 676 East.
- For those traveling northbound: I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road).
SEPTA added capacity on some lines, including the West Trenton Line, per CEO Leslie Richards. She urged employers to be flexible and patient with workers as commute times increase in the coming weeks.
What's next: The National Transportation Safety Board sent a team to Philly to help investigate, the agency tweeted.
- Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg pledged that Pennsylvania would receive any assistance necessary to speed up repairs, Shapiro said Sunday.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.