Interstate 95 reopens to some traffic less than two weeks after deadly collapse in Philadelphia

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Interstate 95 in Philadelphia has reopened to some traffic in less than two weeks following a tragic collapse, marking a faster-than-anticipated reconstruction effort to restore movement along this major north-south highway on the East Coast.

Construction crews worked tirelessly and completed the interim six-lane roadway ahead of schedule, allowing traffic to resume sooner than expected. Concerns about a prolonged closure of this crucial highway have been alleviated. According to a live camera at the site, traffic started flowing in one direction shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Friday, and state transportation officials confirmed that all lanes would be reopened shortly.

During a press conference at the site, Governor Josh Shapiro expressed pride in the collective effort of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, emphasizing that they had demonstrated their ability to accomplish significant tasks once again.

Following the governor’s speech, a procession of fire engines, including one carrying Philadelphia’s professional sports mascots, and police vehicles crossed the northbound lanes of I-95, officially inaugurating the new roadway while construction workers in hard hats observed.

The elevated section of I-95 collapsed on June 11 when a gasoline-carrying tractor-trailer overturned on an off-ramp and caught fire, resulting in the driver’s unfortunate death. The incident occurred when the driver lost control while navigating a curve. Fortunately, no other fatalities or injuries were reported.

The closure of this vital commercial artery caused major traffic congestion in and around Philadelphia and raised concerns about increased consumer goods costs as truckers were forced to take alternative routes. State and federal officials pledged swift action to minimize the economic impact and inconvenience.

To expedite the reopening of I-95, workers utilized approximately 2,000 tons (1,814 metric tons) of lightweight glass nuggets to fill the underpass and raise it to surface level. The area was then paved over to create three lanes in each direction. Ultimately, a permanent bridge will be constructed.

President Joe Biden, accompanied by Governor Josh Shapiro, conducted a helicopter tour of the site just over a week after the collapse. In a statement released on Friday, President Biden expressed pride in the dedicated workers who labored tirelessly to reopen I-95 in record time.

Rain threatened to postpone the reopening, but a truck-mounted jet dryer, typically used to keep racetracks dry at Pocono Raceway, was brought in to ensure that the fresh asphalt remained dry enough for line painting.

The round-the-clock construction work was live-streamed, attracting thousands of online viewers.

The temporary roadway will have a speed limit of 45 mph (approximately 72 kph) and relatively narrower lanes. The Pennsylvania transportation department urged motorists to reduce their speed while passing through this section of the high-speed interstate.

The incident in Philadelphia bears resemblance to a similar event in Atlanta, where an elevated portion of Interstate 85 collapsed in a fire, resulting in the closure of a major route through the city for 43 days in March 2017. In Oakland, California, a collapsed highway ramp was replaced in just 26 days.

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To watch live video footage of the construction work via the state Department of Transportation, visit: [URL]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about highway reconstruction

More about highway reconstruction

• Interstate 95 – Wikipedia page providing information about Interstate 95.
• Philadelphia Department of Transportation – Official website of the Philadelphia Department of Transportation with updates on the construction work and live video footage.
• Interstate 85 Collapse in Atlanta – Details about the collapse of Interstate 85 in Atlanta and the subsequent reconstruction efforts.
• Highway Ramp Collapse in Oakland – News article discussing the collapse of a highway ramp in Oakland and the timeline for its replacement.
• President Joe Biden – Official website providing information about President Joe Biden’s involvement in the I-95 collapse incident and his statements on the reconstruction efforts.