They warn that the collapse of the I-95 freeway will have “significant impacts” in the Philadelphia region

Department of Transportation spokesman Pete Buttigieg warned that the collapse of a part of Interstate 95 that occurred this Sunday in Philadelphia will have “significant impacts” in the city and region until the reconstruction is complete.

An average of 160,000 vehicles travel each day on the section of I-95 that collapsed this morning in Philadelphia, according to Buttigieg.

“This is a major artery for people and property, 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 getting I-95 back to normal, he said in Twitter.

This is a major artery for people and goods, and the closure will have significant impacts on the city and region until reconstruction and recovery are complete. Our department will be there with support throughout the process of I-95 returning to normal.

— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 11, 2023

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 assist them to safely reopen this section of I-95 as quickly as possible”, an FHA spokesman 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 crash-scene investigation into the collapse of I- 95, according to the National Transportation Safety Board

it occurred 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 at a news conference that the fire from the vehicle may have touched gas lines that run underground, causing small explosions and fires around the fire. freeway.

The highway is completely blocked in the northbound lanes, while the southbound lanes are compromised, Bowmer said.

The cause of the fire is unknown, said a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told .

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 Department of Pennsylvania 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 be closed for an extended period, according to DHS.

Philadelphia Emergency Services Director Dominick Mireles expressed concern about the potential "environmental impact" to the Delaware River, which runs parallel to the damaged portion of the freeway.

Philadelphia's department of water quality, which depends on the Delaware River, said Sunday on Twitter that it is monitoring the situation and there have been no negative impacts.