It could have been a disaster. It became a triumph.
On June 12, a tanker truck fire under an Interstate 95 overpass closed the main Philadelphia artery for what could have been a months- or years-long traffic nightmare.
The state Department of Transportation turned it into an example of what government can accomplish when it strips away all the barriers and puts its efforts on a task.
Just 12 days after the truck fire burned through the eight lanes of traffic, I-95 was back in service. In the months following, the permanent rebuild of that stretch of highway is nearly complete.
To celebrate that accomplishment, PennDOT has installed a billboard over the highway as part of its 2023-24 employment campaign. The sign reads: “Fixed this jawn. Join the team.”
The example of PennDOT’s effectiveness is hoped to bring new employees who are committed to getting stuff done.
Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration removed any administrative barriers to the I-95 rebuild. The effort to open I-95 in just 12 days is an example to potential expert engineers and work crews here in Pennsylvania. PennDOT hopes to recruit new employees across the state to help maintain more than 40,000 miles of roadway miles and 25,400 bridges.
“Across Pennsylvania, the team at PennDOT is hard at work fixing our roads, highways and bridges – making it easier and safer for Pennsylvania drivers while creating good-paying jobs. PennDOT workers drive our local economy and help Pennsylvanians get to where they need to go,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Under the leadership of Gov. Shapiro, we have improved and repaired nearly 3,100 miles of state-owned roads and completed 161 bridge projects, supporting thousands of jobs across the commonwealth. We look forward to adding more members to a team that is showing the nation what Pennsylvania is capable of.”
PennDOT employs about 4,700 on-the-road workers and supervises the hiring of hundreds of temporary operators and additional support positions to keep roads as safe and passable as possible during the winter season.
PennDOT is seeking winter maintenance operators, diesel mechanics, automotive mechanics, transportation construction inspectors and engineers who will collaborate with municipal and private-industry partners.
The recruitment campaign will reach individuals via radio, digital streaming and search and on social-media platforms. Learn more at www.employment.pa.gov/penndot. ••
