11 June 2023

Damn!

In Philadelphia today, a tanker truck caught fire under an overpass for I-95, collapsing the span in one direction, and damaging it in the other direction.

It is expected that it will take months to restore the highway:

An elevated section of I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia collapsed early Sunday after a tanker truck carrying gasoline burst into flames beneath it, severing the main expressway on the East Coast and causing travel chaos in the region that will be felt for some time.

Four northbound lanes fell onto Cottman Avenue in the city’s Tacony neighborhood after steel girders supporting the roadway were weakened in the searing fire, officials said. The interstate was closed in both directions between Woodhaven Road and Aramingo Avenue.

………

Nobody thought it would be easy. Officials predicted it would take months for a complete repair. And at least for awhile, commuting in and around the city could be a world of pain, they said, though in the hybrid-work era Mondays and Fridays tend to have lighter traffic.

………

PennDot is recommending detours, and SEPTA planned to initially add cars to some already scheduled Regional Rail trains, and to suspend parking fees at stations and is preparing for more riders on the Market-Frankford Line and bus routes. Leslie S. Richards, CEO of the transit agency, asked for patience: “It is going to take longer than normal to get to work tomorrow.”

The Philadelphia Fire Department said it responded to the blaze beneath I-95 about 6:30 a.m. Sunday; crews declared it under control at 7:30 a.m. Authorities have not determined what caused the truck to catch fire — and have disclosed no information on the driver.

No injuries or deaths have been reported, though Kenney said Sunday night “we understand the situation remains fluid.” Shapiro said “at least one vehicle” remained trapped in the rubble.

Yeah, "fluid."

All things considered, I am glad that I am not in Philadelphia.

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