Gov. Josh Shapiro and President Joe Biden conducted an aerial tour of the Interstate 95 collapse site on Saturday, less than a week after a tractor-trailer fire underneath I-95 caused the highway to be closed in both directions for the foreseeable future.
During the briefing with the president, Shapiro announced that the timeline for traffic to resume is shorter than expected.
“I can state with confidence that we will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks,” Shapiro said. “We are going to get traffic moving again thanks to the extraordinary work of those here and our incredible union trade workers.”
Southbound drivers must exit I-95 at Exit 30, Cottman Avenue. Drivers going north must leave the interstate at Exit 26 for the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue.
Crews continue to make headway on the interim roadway, which will open three temporary travel lanes on I-95 in each direction while work proceeds to rebuild the outer sections of the permanent bridge. The roadway in the area of the collapse will be filled in with a specially designed, Pennsylvania-made recycled glass aggregate. Once fill is complete, 8 inches of modified sub-base will be installed, edge and median barrier will be installed, and the transition between the new roadway and existing lanes will be prepped.
“Our teams are working around the clock to get these repairs done efficiently and safely,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania congressional delegation has sent a letter urging the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration to provide federal funds to support additional capacity on SEPTA following the collapse of the bridge.
Since the collapse of I-95, regional rail ridership on SEPTA has jumped at least 14%. The federal government has allocated $3 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds to begin rebuilding the bridge. As of yet, no federal funding has been approved to expand SEPTA capacity while bridge reconstruction continues.
“As we work on the federal level to support the commonwealth in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, public transportation must play a central role,” the members said. “By helping SEPTA increase capacity and provide a viable alternative to the surface roads, we can reduce congestion on the detour routes while also protecting pedestrians and cyclists who use these roads.”
While the immediate priority is to restore the interstate to full use, ensuring that the agencies, like SEPTA, that have been mobilized to support the rebuild efforts will be supported, is ongoing.
“Our understanding is that SEPTA’s expanded capacity would be eligible for Emergency Relief funds,” the members continued. “Any other funding mechanisms should be moved at the fastest possible speed. We hope that the Department of Transportation will explore all options, including additional Emergency Relief funds and other flexibilities, to provide immediate support to SEPTA.”
