I-95 Bridge Collapse In Philadelphia Sparks ‘Major Traffic Disruption’, May Snarl Supply Chains

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg warned the I-95 bridge collapse in Northeast Philadelphia would cause “major disruption” for regional transportation and commuters. The stretch of I-95 will be closed for at least a month while the bridge is being rebuilt.

On Monday, Buttigieg addressed the American Council of Engineering Companies in Washington. He said his agency is working with state and local officials to rebuild the bridge and will provide financing and technical support.

Buttigieg warned summer travel on the I-95 through Philadelphia could be a nightmare:

“This is not just about commutes.

“This is also about supply chains, about 150,000 vehicles a day, and a good percentage of that is trucking. For both vehicle passenger traffic, and for goods moving supply chains, this is going to be a major disruption in that region.”

I-95 is a major artery for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast and the entire East Coast.

The bridge that collapsed Sunday morning was due to a tanker fire underneath.

The highway sees, on average, 150,000 vehicles a day. Traffic chaos is already underway:

Tumar Alexander, managing director for the City of Philadelphia, told CBS News that the I-95 closure will have “a significant impact to this community for a while.”

“95 will be impacted for a long time,” Alexander said.

Jana Tidwell, a spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic, told Bloomberg that the I-95 closure comes as peak driving is nearing on a seasonal basis.

Also, on Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency to tap federal funds to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.

Shapiro, on Sunday, told reporters the bridge rebuild could take “some number of months.”

If you pass Philadelphia this summer, avoid traveling on the I-95 and other highways during peak travel hours.

By PatriotmanPublished On: June 13, 2023Categories: Uncategorized2 Comments

About the Author: Patriotman

Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations. Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore

2 Comments

Ghostmann June 13, 2023 at 08:49

Normal travel through Philly on 95 is brutal. In the morning, it’s a parking lot. The streets those detours are on are not meant for 18 wheeler traffic either. That section that collapsed was worked on for YEARS. YEARS! It’ll be a miracle if it’s even back up in six months.

Now, by rights straight up north-south traffic from DE can just go on the Jersey Turnpike to bypass it, and that’ll take you back onto 95 at exit 6. So if the traffic is bypassing Philly, say if VIPs were traveling on the highway from DC to NYC, they don’t even have to go through Philly.

95 is a symbol though of American infrastructure. Watching it collapse is a public black eye, which might end up being more important.
bibitor June 13, 2023 at 10:06

This was sabotage.