Crews continue to make headway on the interim I-95 roadway, which will open temporary travel lanes, three in each direction, within two weeks, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The process to fill in the roadway in the area of the collapse with a specially designed, Pennsylvania-made recycled glass aggregate has been completed. Now, 8 inches of modified sub-base will be installed, edge and median barriers will be installed, and the transition between the new roadway and existing lanes will be prepped. Paving operations will begin soon after. “Our teams are working around the clock to get these repairs done efficiently and safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is working with the City of Philadelphia to survey local businesses in Tacony and the Northeast so that they can have access to Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the federal Small Business Administration. Businesses experiencing access problems due to local road closures or detours should contact the Department of Commerce Office of Business Services by calling 215-683-2100 or emailing business@phila.gov.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration previously announced the immediate availability of $3 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief funds for use as a down payment by PennDOT to offset costs of repair work. The damage was caused on June 11 by the crash of a gasoline tanker truck, which caught fire.
“The I-95 corridor is a vital connection for people and goods traveling along the East Coast, and we are working hand in hand with state and local officials to make the necessary repairs,” said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt. “We know thousands of people and businesses rely on this interstate every day, which is why we are providing this quick release funding to ensure PennDOT can reopen this section of I-95 as quickly as possible.”
The structure normally carries about 160,000 vehicles on average each day.
To watch a livestream of the reconstruction, go to https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalOffices/district-6/Pages/AlertDetails.aspx. ••
