STORY: A part of I-95, a critical US highway, collapsed in Philadelphia on Sunday (June 12).
Officials said it buckled after a tanker truck carrying gasoline caught fire below a northbound overpass of I-95.
No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
But I-95 is the main north-south interstate for the East Coast, running from Miami to the Canadian border with roughly 160,000 vehicles passing over the roadway every day.
And a rebuild will take months, according to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro:
“We expect it to take that time, and we will have that specific timeline set forth once the engineers and PennDOT have completed their review. To expedite this process and to cut through the red tape, tomorrow morning, I plan to issue a disaster declaration allowing the Commonwealth to immediately draw down federal funds and move quickly to repair and reconstruct this roadway.”
Officials say the adjacent, southbound overpass was also closed as the fire made it structurally unsound.
Shapiro added that while there were indications that some gasoline may have spilled into the nearby Delaware River, booms were quickly put into the water to contain the spread.
He stressed there was no threat of drinking water contamination.
U.S. President Joe Biden was briefed on the collapse and the White House has reportedly offered assistance.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said I-95’s closure will have “significant impacts” on the region and the city of Philadelphia.
Officials said travelers should expect delays as the overpass is rebuilt and encouraged them to plan alternate travel routes for their commutes.
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