I-95 Collapse Could Take ‘Months’ to Fix

Thousands of drivers will have to find alternate routes after a portion of Interstate 95 collapsed in Philadelphia on Sunday morning. Federal investigators have started a probe into why the 8,500-gallon tanker truck caught fire and led to the collapse of the I-95 overpass that could take months to repair.

Soooo here’s a couple driving over the I-95 overpass about 10 minutes before it collapsed with their windows down pic.twitter.com/U6Mcp82bQQ — stefanielaine (@stefanielaine) June 11, 2023

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is expected to issue a disaster declaration today that would allow the state to use federal funds and cut red tape to expedite repairs to the portion of the roadway that carries about 160,000 vehicles through the city daily. 

Of course, the summer travel season is at its peak with travelers using the major US highway – which stretches from Florida to Maine – to get to their vacation destinations, such as Miami, Savannah (Georgia), Washington, DC, Baltimore, Newark, and New York. I-95 is not only a popular corridor or route for leisure travelers but for regular commuters and it is also a major commerce thoroughfare.

I 95 Collapse in Philadelphia
Very good resolution here…
The highways nearby:
Route 1 in PA , I 295 in NJ and the New Jersey Turnpike are going to be a traffic problem for a while…
Ugghpic.twitter.com/9vki0HezdX — Bob Marsdale (@BobMarsdale) June 12, 2023

Thankfully, no injuries or fatalities from the highway collapse have been reported. The Northbound lanes were damaged due to the intensity of the blaze and were “not structurally sound to carry any traffic,” according to Shapiro. The City of Philadelphia has listed a few detour routes for drivers, including the main detours listed below. 

Southbound I-95 Detour

• Exit I-95 southbound at Cottman Avenue.
• At the end of the ramp, right on Bleigh Street.
• Follow Bleigh to State Road, and make a left onto State.
• Travel State Road South to Longshore Avenue.
• Re-enter I-95 southbound at State Road and Longshore Avenue.

Northbound I-95 Detour

• Exit I-95 at Aramingo Avenue.
• At the end of the ramp, make a left onto Aramingo Avenue.
• Follow Aramingo Avenue to Tacony Street. Turn right.
• Take Tacony Street northbound around Tacony-Palmyra Bridge loop to New State Road. Continue northbound.
• Travel New State Road to Milnor Street and re-enter I-95 northbound.

Stay updated on the most recent developments, and visit The City of Philadelphia’s website.