A section of Northbound I-95 in Philadelphia has collapsed following a tanker truck fire underneath the highway on Sunday morning. The highway has been closed, and officials estimate it will take several months to repair the damage caused by the collapse. As a result, it will have serious ramifications for travelers in the region who rely on this key highway to get to work and transport goods. Around 160,000 vehicles travel on this portion of the I-95 highway every day, making it the busiest interstate in Pennsylvania.
While there have been no reported injuries, the tanker truck is still trapped under the collapsed section of the highway. Authorities are working on identifying whether anyone was caught in the fire and the collapse. The cause of the truck fire remains under investigation, but officials believe that potential fuel or gas lines may have been compromised by the accident. Explosions around the highway collapse were caused by fuel or gas runoff. The US Coast Guard is monitoring the possibility of water pollution in the area.
SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, has announced that it will add extra capacity and service to other transport routes and consider all options to assist travelers impacted by the collapse. The Federal Highway Administration has promised support and assistance to the state, and the National Transportation Safety Board will be launching a team to investigate the collapse. Additionally, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has pledged resources to rebuild the I-95 highway in a safe and expeditious manner.