Feds Visit I-95 Collapse Site, Timeline For Repairs Remains Unknown

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Philadelphia Tuesday to tour the site of the deadly tractor trailer crash that caused the collapse of a portion of Interstate 95 north Sunday. The heavily traveled roadway remains closed in both directions.

Buttigieg, at a news conference following the tour, promised full federal support in the local and state efforts to repair the roughly 100-foot span of Interstate 95.

Federal funding that will help the reconstruction, which does not have a timeline as of Tuesday, can come in the form of an immediate release of money and in reimbursements to agencies responding to the disaster.

"There's no question in my mind that all the resources that PennDOT needs federally will be available," he said.

Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll Monday said a timeline for reconstruction will not be established until demolition of the southbound portion of Interstate 95 is complete. Demolition began Monday and is expected to be completed by Thursday or Friday, he said. In the meantime, officials are working to develop a reconstruction plan, which is expected to be released Wednesday.

Buttigieg said the highway is an important artery for moving people and goods.

The affected portion of road sees about 160,000 vehicles daily, according to Carroll. About eight percent of those vehicles are trucks hauling commercial goods, which could impact pricing at grocery stores and more, Buttigieg said.

"The only thing that's even more important than making sure it's restored quickly is making sure it's restored safely," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg lauded the coordination between the numerous local, state, and federal agencies responding to the catastrophe. "We're going to be here for as long as it takes with both financial backing and any other technical support that's needed," he said.

Buttigieg said Gov. Josh Shapiro's disaster emergency declaration played a key role in already making federal resources available.

Authorities are working with Google and Waze to help provide motorists better navigate the extended closure. During the closure, southbound drivers are being detoured to Route 63 West/Woodhaven Road, U.S. 1 South, then Interstates 76 East and 676 East.

Northbound drivers are detoured to Interstates 676 West and 76 West, then U.S. 1 North and Route 63 East. PennDOT has full details on the detour online here.

SEPTA is adding capacity on its Trenton, West Trenton and Fox Chase lines, and will temporarily bus the Cynwyd line. Free parking is also available at the Fern Rock, Fox Chase, and Torresdale SEPTA stations.