Pennsylvania Governor to Issue Disaster Declaration After Portion of I-95 Collapses

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he will issue a disaster declaration after a portion of heavily traveled Interstate 95 in Philadelphia collapsed on Sunday morning due to an apparent tanker truck fire.

Shapiro said the declaration will allow the state to gain immediate access to federal funds and move quickly to begin the repair and reconstruction process, which he said “could take a number of months.”

Preliminary reports indicate a commercial truck carrying a petroleum-based product was the source of the fire, Shapiro said.

The vehicle fire occurred on a ramp under I-95 in northeast Philadelphia and caused a portion of the northside highway to completely collapse. It also compromised the integrity of the southbound side such that it is not structurally sound to carry any traffic, the state reported. The interstate is closed in both directions.

“Interstate 95 is a critical artery that supports our economy and plays an important role in Pennsylvanians’ day to day lives. My Administration is all hands on deck to repair this safely and as efficiently as possible,” said Shapiro. “We will rebuild and recover – and in the meantime, we will make sure people can get to where they need to go safely.”

State and city officials have created detours and are working on a umber of alternative routes and methods to ensure drivers can safely get to where they need to go.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SSPTA), the area’s public transit agency, said it is adding additional capacity and service on the Trenton, West Trenton and Fox Chase Lines. Additional trains were added to the Trenton line in time for Monday’s commute.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Peter Buttigieg said he has been in touch with Shapiro to offer federal assistance.

Topics Pennsylvania