The opening of the temporary northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 northeast of Philadelphia was completed by noon Friday.
“The road is ready for traffic. We did the proper tests on all the materials and the work. We’re opening this stretch because the people of Philadelphia and across the state can’t wait any longer,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said excited about the 12-day assignment.
All this after the northern section of the busy road, at Cottman Avenue, collapsed on June 11 due to the explosion of a fuel truck. In that instance, the transport driver, identified as Nathan Moody, perished.
Federal, state and local agencies came together for the reconstruction of the road and chose to demolish not only the collapsed part in the north direction, but also the south part, because they understood that it had been compromised in the explosion. The new six-lane structure was filled with a recyclable glass material.
“We gave way to an unusual idea and it worked. We just showed the entire nation that when you work together, anything can be done. Thanks to all the women and men involved in this project, without you we wouldn’t be celebrating,” said Governor Josh Shapiro, who from early on in the process predicted that it would take two weeks for the temporary solution of the project.
Carroll explained that it’s important to note that these are three 11-inch-wide lanes, a bit smaller than normal, but not far from those used when road construction is underway. “We hope that the people of Philadelphia and all who travel on this stretch of freeway will do so safely and follow speed guidelines. We all like to go fast, I am one, but it is important to understand that following the speed rules on this stretch will keep us all using it as work on the bridge continues,” he explained.
This is what you should expect:
- The temporary lanes of I-94 will have a speed reduction of 45 miles per hour.
- There will be at least one mile of transition before the provisional stretch in both directions.
- The rails are 11 inches wide.
- There will be no rest or emergency space (lanes) in both directions.
- So far it is unknown when the reconstruction work of the bridge in the outer lanes will begin.
- It is also unclear how much time or money the rebuild will cost.
