Vehicles crossed the newly reconstructed Interstate 95 bridge in Philadelphia Friday for the primary time for the reason that bridge collapsed in a deadly accident.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and other state officials spoke at a morning news conference hours before the bridge reopened at noon — just 12 days after the collapse.
Shapiro had promised the collapsed a part of I-95 could be reopened inside 2 weeks, a promise he kept.
“They said it couldn’t be done,” Shapiro said.
“Once I stood here 12 days ago, I have to say there was a pessimism within the air — one which I feel has lingered on this city and on this commonwealth for much too long. And today, all of us here together proved them mistaken.”
Officials reopened six temporary lanes of traffic on I-95 after a deadly tanker truck fire caused an overpass to collapse on June 11.
Truck driver Nathan Moody, 53, was killed within the accident.
Shapiro’s administration worked closely with state, local and federal authorities to clear away debris and rebuild the roadway.
President Biden toured the location of the collapse last weekend and pronounced reconstruction of I-95 the highest infrastructure priority of his administration. AP
President Biden toured the location of the collapse last weekend and pronounced reconstruction of I-95 the highest infrastructure priority of his administration.
“There’s no more necessary project within the country immediately so far as I’m concerned,” Biden said on Saturday.
Every part it’s essential know concerning the Philadelphia I-95 overpass collapse
A heavily traveled section of I-95 collapsed in Philadelphia on Sunday after a tanker truck burst into flames underneath it, police said.
The collapse occurred after a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gas to a neighborhood Wawa didn’t make a turn and flipped on its side, triggering an enormous fire, officials said Monday.
The highway catastrophe led to all lanes of the interstate being shut down between the exits of Woodhaven Road in northeast Philadelphia and Aramingo Avenue within the Port Richmond neighborhood.
Philadelphia Fire Department Captain Derrick Bowmer said the burning truck also led to explosions underground, with flames coming out of manholes that were blown off.
Human stays were recovered from the rubble on Monday, and officials have yet to announce the identity of the victim.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Philadelphia and union contractors worked in conjunction to reopen the interstate.
“The constructing trades folks are the actual heroes here – they constructed this in a skillful and speedy way, and I’m eternally grateful for his or her dedication,” said Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll.
“PennDOT and our team and the Buckley team will proceed our efforts to construct the ability on either side of this structure in an effort to revive I-95 to its full capability.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro promised the collapsed a part of I-95 could be reopened inside 2 weeks, a promise he kept.AP
A everlasting bridge over Cottman Ave is now under construction where the temporary roadway was installed.
“Because of the grit and determination of operating engineers, laborers, cement finishers, carpenters, teamsters, and so many other proud union employees doing shifts across the clock, I-95 is reopening. And it’s ahead of schedule,” Biden said Friday.
“This emergency repair is 100% federally funded and all approvals got as quick as possible. We also deployed officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the crash site inside hours – to assist fast-track the hassle. We’re proving that once we work together, there’s nothing we cannot do.”
The Philadelphia Flyers, Eagles, Phillies, 76ers and union organizations made a collective $50,000 donation to construct a trust fund for the daughter of Nathan Moody.
