Shapiro signs disaster declaration after Interstate 95 collapse in Philadelphia

(WHTM) — Interstate 95, a major East Coast artery, was severed in Philadelphia.

of collapsed highway On Sunday, June 11, a tanker truck exploded beneath it. The impact on transportation and commerce is enormous, and the state is taking an all-out approach to addressing the impact.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro immediately signed a disaster declaration, transferred $7 million to PEMA, cut paperwork for the Pennsylvania State Police and other agencies like PennDOT, and expedited Interstate 95. I am hoping for a complete reconstruction.

Rep. Joe Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia) represents the districts where automobiles bypass highways. With 170,000 vehicles traversing this route every day, it’s a nightmare, but he’s encouraged by the swift response of the federal, state, and city governments.

“The key will be whether that response is sustained. Will we commit sufficient resources to ensure a turnaround on time enough to get us back in business by the end of the year, or sooner?” ?” said Hohenstein.

“We are looking at temporary fixes as well as full fixes. Rep. (Democrat) added.

Neilson is also from Philadelphia and is grateful that it happened Sunday morning instead of a day later.

“My son would have been on Interstate 95 and passed the location at about 1:04 at 6:00, about 6:20. My son may have been in it,” said Neilson. “The devastation would have been devastating if life had been lost.”

Shapiro’s proclamation expires on the 21st due to a constitutional amendment to the Tom Wolfe-era state of emergency declaration. Congress will have to revote and will probably be sent back to Harrisburg every three weeks unless an agreement is reached.

“This is the traditional definition of an emergency. I think so,” said Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, Republican.

Pennsylvania can also be a state. Some Pennsylvanians living in Erie and Luzern counties may be wondering why they should care about Philadelphia’s highways.

“Frankly, Interstate 95 is the lifeline not just for southeastern Pennsylvania, but for the entire Mid-Atlantic of our great United States,” said Majority Leader Matt Bradford, a Democrat.

It’s too early to say how long Interstate 95 will be closed, and it’s too early to say how much it will cost.