The incident recorded on I-95 did not leave anyone injured.
Photo: KENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images
The spokesman for the Department of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, warned that the collapse of a part of Interstate 95 that occurred this Sunday in Philadelphia it will have “significant impacts” on the city and region until rebuilding is complete.
An average of 160,000 vehicles travel each day on the section of I-95 that collapsed this morning in Philadelphiaaccording to Buttigieg.
“This is an important artery for people and goods, and the closure will have a significant impact on the city and region until rebuilding and recovery is complete. Our department will be there with support throughout the process of returning I-95 to normalcy ″, he indicated in Twitter.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt will travel to Philadelphia on Monday to offer federal support and assistance.
“The I-95 corridor is a vital connection for people and goods traveling along the East Coast, and FHWA has offered support and assistance to state and local officials to help them safely reopen this section of I-95 as quickly as possible,” an FHA spokesperson said in a statement.
A team of specialists in motor carrier and hazmat safety, highway and technical reconstruction, and emergency response are also expected to be on site Monday to begin the portion of the on-scene investigation into the I-95 collapse. , according to the National Transportation Safety Board
A preliminary report will be available in two to three weeks.the NTSB said.
What happened on I-95?
An Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia collapsed early this morning after a large vehicle caught fire under itcausing a dense black smoke and the closure of that road in both directions.
The incident, which did not leave woundedoccurred between exit 32 Academy Road and exit 30 Cottman Avenue in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.
Derek Bowmer, captain of the Philadelphia fire department, explained in a press conference that the vehicle fire may have touched gas lines that run below groundwhich has caused small explosions and fires around the highway.
The highway is completely clogged in the northbound lanes, while the southbound lanes are compromised, Bowmer said.
The cause of the fire is unknowna Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told ABC News.
All northbound lanes between exit 25 at Allegheny Avenue and Castor Avenue and exit 32 at Academy Road and Linden Avenue are currently closed, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The southbound lanes between exit 32 and exit 30 at Cottman Avenue and Rhawn Street are also closed.
That portion of I-95 is expected to remain closed for an extended period, according to DHS.
Philadelphia emergency services director Dominick Mireles expressed concern about the possible “environmental impact” that there may be in the Delaware Riverwhich flows parallel to the damaged part of the highway.
Philadelphia’s water quality department, which depends on the Delaware River, said Sunday on Twitter that it is monitoring the situation and there have been no negative impacts.
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