Collapsed stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia to reopen within 2 weeks, Pa. governor says
"I can state with confidence that we will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks," Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
PHILADELPHIA -- The collapsed stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia will reopen within two weeks, Pennsylvania's governor said Saturday, after joining President Joe Biden on a helicopter tour over the critical stretch of highway closed to East Coast traffic since last weekend.
"We are getting it done here in Philly," Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a briefing at Philadelphia International Airport after the flyover that included members of Congress and the city's mayor.
Biden said "there is no more important project" going on right now, as far as he was concerned. "We're with you. We're going to stay with you" until the work is "totally finished."
Shapiro, offering a timeline that would be welcome news to commuters and long-haul truckers alike, said with Biden at his side: "I can state with confidence that we will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks. We are going to get traffic moving again thanks to the extraordinary work that is going on here."
SEE ALSO: Delaware County company providing special fill for I-95
He said "folks here in Philly have a real renewed sense of civic pride through this project" and that "there's something special happening in our community" with people coming together.
Biden also announced the federal government will reimburse 100% of the work for the next 200 days, followed by 90%. This will help expedite the rebuilding process and cover the cost of union workers.
"I grew up not very far from here, just across the line in Claymont, Delaware. I know how important this stretch of highway is, not just in Philly, but the entire Northeast corridor," said Biden.
The stretch of the East Coast's main north-south highway collapsed early last Sunday after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an off-ramp and caught fire. State transportation officials said the driver was trying to navigate a curve and lost control.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the area Tuesday, promised that the federal government would provide the needed assistance to repair the destruction, although he warned that the wreckage will likely raise the cost of consumer goods in the short term because truckers must now travel longer routes.
Joining Biden on the presidential Marine One helicopter were Shapiro, Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Rep. Brendan Boyle, and Mayor Jim Kenney, all Democrats. Later Saturday, Biden was to attend a 2024 campaign event with union workers at the convention center.
LIVE VIDEO: Watch as construction crews work to rebuild Interstate 95
As reconstruction efforts unfold, commuters say they are still adjusting to the detours and backups that come with the I-95 closures.
"It's been a mess. Honestly, I'm leaving a half hour before I would even leave for work," said Nicole Driscoll from Northeast Philadelphia. "I've been late every day this week. Never been late in my life."
On the other hand, some say Friday's traffic was much better compared to the start of the week.
"It was like an hour and a half to get downtown. Today I made it back in 45 minutes," said Noel Murphy from the city's Mayfair neighborhood.
