More lane closures coming Thursday for bridge repairs on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Drivers can expect some delays on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia this week as crews work on the permanent bridge that will replace the section that collapsed after a truck overturned and caught fire, killing the driver.
On Tuesday, I-95 was reduced to two lanes approaching and through the Cottman Avenue interchange as crews placed large beams on the new bridge.
The same thing will happen on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Motorists are advised to avoid the work area or allow extra time for travel through the construction zone as significant backups will occur, officials said.
I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia was closed in both directions at the Cottman Avenue Interchange on Sunday, June 11, after a tanker truck crash and fire that destroyed the bridge over Cottman Avenue.
An interim six-lane roadway was constructed in less than two weeks, with crews working around the clock to get traffic flowing again on what is a heavily traveled section of the East Coast's main highway. The damaged part of I-95 carries about 160,000 vehicles daily, state officials said.
PennDOT says the entire $25 to $30 million project should be complete by June of 2024.
Chris Wilson, the owner of Sharkey's Grill & Ale House in Tacony, said he is impressed by the progress crews have made so far.
"It seems like everything is back to normal on 95 and everything has opened up around here," Wilson said. "It's just the traffic still isn't coming by this area."
Wilson said his business is down almost 50 percent this summer compared to last summer, but he does anticipate an increase in business come the fall.
Down the road at Curran's Irish Inn, bartender Emily Breslin said business "has been back on the upswing. I feel like a lot of the regulars are making a point to come in."
Breslin, who works and lives in Tacony, said she is hopeful this project will be completed on time.
"I'm excited for there to be more openings and for it to be more accessible driving again in and out of Tacony," Breslin said. "I feel like we live on an island of Tacony."
