Repairs on Interstate 95 are poised to endure for a "prolonged duration" following the cataclysmic collapse of an elevated section in Philadelphia on Sunday morning. The apocalyptic event unfolded when a tanker lorry, laden with highly combustible cargo, ignited beneath the flyover, as confirmed by officials.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania expounded during a press conference on Sunday eve, "Concerning the comprehensive reconstruction of the I-95 thoroughfare, we envision it to necessitate a substantial temporal expanse." He further elucidated his intention to proclaim disaster to "expedite this process" and "swiftly secure federal funding.
" Governor Shapiro disclosed his direct correspondence with Secretary of Transport Pete Buttigieg, who offered unwavering assurance of an "unfaltering expeditiousness" in procuring federal funds earmarked for the secure and expeditious restoration of this "indispensable conduit." Concurrently, officials are contemplating "interim measures to bridge both sides of I-95 to facilitate the seamless flow of traffic in the region," as articulated by Governor Shapiro.
Local ABC station WPVI reported the indefinite closure of all lanes between Philadelphia's Woodhaven Road and Aramingo Avenue exits, operational in both directions. Governor Shapiro emphasized that the northbound section of the afflicted stretch has "completely succumbed to collapse," while the southbound carriageways are "inadequate in their structural integrity to sustain any vehicular traffic." Consequently, one vehicle remains ensnared beneath the dilapidated roadway, as attested by the governor.
Governor Shapiro acknowledged ongoing endeavors to identify any individuals who might have been entrapped in the conflagration and ensuing collapse. However, he later clarified that no fatalities or injuries were reported among those present on I-95 during the incident. An evaluation conducted by inspectors from the Pennsylvania Department of Transport, as divulged in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security, determined that the southbound section cannot be reopened and necessitates complete replacement. The report also indicated the compromised soundness of the deck of the collapsed flyover, with continued inspections in progress. Moreover, petrol from the tanker lorry has infiltrated surface drains, leading to the detection of a thin film on the aqueous surface in a nearby cove of the Delaware River.
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively engaged at the scene and will collaborate with the Philadelphia Water Department to monitor any potential environmental ramifications of the conflagration on this consequential waterway, spanning 282 miles along the borders of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. At the time of the incident, the tanker lorry was transporting 8,500 gallons of petrol, as corroborated by Coast Guard petty officer Kimberly Reaves. As a crucial transport passageway, I-95 functions as a pivotal and extensively traveled channel in the United States, operating as the predominant north-south route along the Eastern Seaboard.
Per an official representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, more than 160,000 automobiles traverse the impacted stretch in Philadelphia daily. President Joe Biden has been informed about the bridge failure, and his administration maintains close contact with Governor Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, as confirmed by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt will embark on a visit to Philadelphia on Monday to provide federal support and assistance. To commence the field phase of their safety inquiry regarding the occurrence, a consortium of experts hailing from the National Transportation Safety Board will join forces with the Pennsylvania State Police. A preliminary assessment is expected to be unveiled in a span of two to three weeks, as per the regulations set forth by the NTSB.
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