Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will issue a disaster declaration Monday to begin repairs to I-95 after a burning truck caused a portion of the highway to collapse in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday morning. , causing significant traffic delays that would intensify this week.
During a press conference Sunday night, Shapiro said the full reconstruction of I-95 is expected to take “a few months” and that they would have a specific timeline for the reconstruction after a review by PennDOT engineers and officials. He also said that officials were working on interim solutions to connect both sides of the highway.
“To expedite this process and reduce red tape, I plan to issue a disaster declaration tomorrow morning, which will allow the Commonwealth to immediately withdraw federal funds and act quickly to repair and rebuild this highway,” Shapiro said. “I spoke directly with Secretary Pete Buttigeig of the US Department of Transportation, along with Senator Casey, Congressman Boyle and other federal officials.”
Shapiro said all of the state’s federal partners have pledged “full and complete support and assistance” in creating alternate routes for drivers during the rebuild.
“Secretary Buttigieg has assured me that there will be no delay in the deployment of federal funds to help us quickly rebuild this critical artery,” Shapiro said. “I-95, of course, is a critical highway. It supports our economy and plays an important role in our daily lives.”
Video from the scene shows a huge concrete slab that had fallen from I-95 onto the road below. Shapiro said his flight over the area showed “just remarkable devastation.”
“I found myself thanking the Lord that no drivers that were on I-95 were hurt or killed,” he said.
While no injuries or deaths have been reported, officials are continuing to work to determine if the truck driver was in the area or if anyone was trapped during the fire and collapse.
Crews were already working before dawn Monday to dig through the rubble. A construction vehicle could be seen digging to get to the truck below the collapse.
