Central Bucks Lawmaker Commends Workers On Early Opening Of I-95

DOYLESTOWN, PA — State Rep. Tim Brennan (D-29) was on hand to welcome drivers back to I-95 Friday in Philadelphia days ahead of schedule.

Brennan visited the reconstruction site with a group of city and regional lawmakers to see firsthand the state of repairs 12 days after a tractor-trailer transporting gasoline crashed and caught fire under the Cottman Avenue exit in Northeast Philadelphia.

The accident caused a portion of the freeway to collapse, and the truck driver -- a U.S. Army veteran and father of three -- was killed.

Brennan remarked on how impressed he was by the "extraordinary work" of crews from the Philadelphia building trades, the leadership from the governor’s office and the resourcefulness of state officials. The closed portions of the highway were ready for motorist travel on Friday, two days ahead of the governor’s already ambitious original goal of two weeks.

“If anyone needs a reminder about the meaning of ‘American exceptionalism,’ take a look at this project. This project has been a testament to the American worker and an amazing demonstration of our resourcefulness, ingenuity, and ability to rise to meet any challenge,” Brennan said. “Governor Shapiro’s can-do attitude clearly rubbed off on everyone involved.”

Brennan noted that PA Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll’s many years of experience as chairman of the House Transportation Committee also was invaluable. “Experience matters and Secretary Carroll is clearly the right person for this job,” Brennan said.

State Rep. Tim Brennan, right, talks with workers on the project. (Contributed)

Brennan said the secretary commended his former constituents at the Pocono Raceway, who helped on the I-95 project. Their jet dryer arrived by police escort on Thursday to speed up the drying of all freshly-laid asphalt, allowing work to continue with less interruption. Carroll also marshaled resources from a contractor on an already ongoing private construction project adjacent to the site to have the demolition done quicker.

“I’m amazed by what our local, state, and federal government agencies have been able to accomplish and in record speed,” Brennan said. “It’s an incredible feat of engineering and collaboration. It’s the way we expect government should be able to work for us.”

State Rep. Tim Brennan, fourth from right, is given a briefing on the project. (Contributed)