PHILADELPHIA– The interstate highway I-95 was reopened on Friday, less than two weeks after the collapse of a section in Philadelphia. In a shorter period of time than expected, traffic returned to flowing through that section of the main north-south artery of the country’s Atlantic coast.
The workers finalized the details of an interim route of six lanes where the vehicles will travel during the construction of a permanent bridge. The works were carried out 24 hours a day and finished ahead of schedule.
Traffic began flowing in one direction just after 12:30 p.m. Friday, according to live video from the scene, and all lanes were open soon after.
“This was a moment of civic pride for Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,” Governor Josh Shapiro said at a news conference at the venue. “We show that by working together, we can get things done in Pennsylvania.”
Next, a procession of fire trucks — one of which carried the mascots of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams — and police vehicles swept through the northbound lanes in a christening ceremony for the artery.
The elevated section of I-95 collapsed early June 11 after a gasoline tanker truck overturned and caught fire on an off-ramp.
State authorities said the driver, who was killed in the crash, lost control on a curve. There were no other victims.
The closure of the major commercial artery clogged traffic in and around Philadelphia and threatened to increase the cost of consumer goods as truckers were forced to detour from the area. State and federal authorities vowed to act quickly to minimize the economic impact and inconvenience.
To rehabilitate I-95 as quickly as possible, workers used about 2,000 tons (1,814 metric tons) of glass nuggets to fill the underpass and raise it to surface level. Then they paved it to enable three lanes in each direction.
FUENTE: AP
