A section of I-95 collapsed early Sunday morning around 6:00am after a tanker truck carrying a petroleum-based product caught fire.
Officials told 6ABC that the bridge, located near the Cottman Avenue exit in the Tacony section of Philadelphia, could take months to rebuild.
Closely monitoring the fire and collapse on I-95 in Pennsylvania. I‘ve been in touch with FHWA and spoke with Gov. Shapiro to offer any assistance that USDOT can provide to help with recovery and reconstruction.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 11, 2023
Cheltenham Township Emergency Management posted earlier today:
If you have to use I-95 near Cottman, you might want to consider a new plan. A gasoline tanker caught fire under this bridge causing it to collapse. I-95 is closed in this area until further notice.
Northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 are shut down between the exits for Woodhaven Road in Northeast Philadelphia and Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond. The roughly 160,000 vehicles which use that section of I-95 will be diverted to nearby thruways.
A disaster declaration is expected on Monday, which will pull federal funds towards the highway’s reconstruction. Injuries caused by the accident have not been reported at this time.
For 6ABC’s coverage, which includes a press conference with Governor Shapiro, you can watch this video:
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Screengrabs courtesy of 6ABC