"Important Information: Vehicle Fire and Highway Collapse on I-95 in Philadelphia"
On the morning of June 11, 2023, a fire occurred underneath I-95 near the Cottman Avenue exit in Northeast Philadelphia, causing a section of the highway to collapse. Initial reports suggest that a tanker truck was involved in the fire. The Pennsylvania State Police closed I-95 in both directions in the affected area.
The Philadelphia Fire Department managed to control the fire this morning. Various city and state agencies are working together to address the impact on residents and travelers affected by the road closure. Further details will be provided as they become available.
For residents and visitors, officials gave an update at 5 p.m. regarding the response to the incident, which can be watched at the provided link. SEPTA is increasing its capacity and service, so residents are encouraged to use it as an alternative mode of transportation. All lanes of I-95 are closed in both directions between the Woodhaven and Aramingo exits. Some streets in the surrounding area are closed to facilitate the emergency response. It's important to note that these closures may change as the response continues. Travelers are advised to stay updated through local news, PennDOT's Twitter account, or their website (pa.gov/i95updates).
As a result of the I-95 closure, complimentary parking is available at certain PPA-operated SEPTA train station lots until further notice. These lots include Fern Rock Rail Station (10th & Nedro Streets), Fox Chase Rail Station (500 Rhawn Street), and Torresdale Rail Station (4900 Grant Avenue). Travelers should anticipate delays and plan alternative routes, especially for their weekday commutes.
Residents are advised to continue with their regular trash and recycling collections as scheduled, placing them out on their designated pickup days and locations. However, residents in the northeast area of the city should expect delays in collections, as sanitation trucks will have to be rerouted. The Streets Department will provide updates on the impacted areas via their Twitter account.
Detour routes have been established by Penndot for motorists affected by the closure:I-95 Southbound: Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road), U.S. 1 South, 76 East, 676 East
I-95 Northbound: I-676 West, I-76 West, U.S. 1 North to Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) The latest updates on detours and closures can be found at pa.gov/i95updates.
Philadelphia Police have implemented closures and detours in the area of the Cottman Avenue exit on I-95. Police officers will be stationed along the detour route, and access will be provided to local businesses and deliveries. It's important to expect delays along the detour, as these closures and detours are subject to change.
Specific closures and detours by Philadelphia Police include:
.Closure of the Castor Avenue on-ramp for I-95 northbound
.Closure of Aramingo Avenue/I-95 on and off-ramps, including the on-ramp to I-95 northbound and the Betsy Ross off-ramp to I-95 northbound
.Closure of the I-95 on-ramp at Bridge Street
Traffic on Tacony Street flowing northbound only from Bridge Street to New State Road
.Closure of Tacony Palmyra Bridge traffic onto Tacony Street, with all traffic redirected westbound onto Levick Street
.Closures and restrictions on Cottman Avenue exit and State Road, limiting travel to one-way southbound only from Cottman Avenue to Longshore Avenue
For the southbound I-95 detour, motorists should exit at Cottman Avenue, turn right onto Bleigh Street at the end of the ramp, follow Bleigh Street to State Road, make a left onto State Road, travel south to Longshore Avenue, and re-enter I-95 southbound at the intersection of State Road and Longshore Avenue.
For the northbound I-95 detour, drivers should exit at Aramingo Avenue, make a left onto Aramingo Avenue at the end of the ramp, follow Aramingo Avenue to Tacony Street, turn right onto Tacony Street, proceed northbound around the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge loop to New State Road, continue northbound on New State Road to Milnor Street, and re-enter I-95 northbound.
To stay informed about the situation, residents should follow the Office of Emergency Management and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Twitter. They can also sign up for emergency alerts by texting "ReadyPhila" to 888-777. Additionally, the latest updates on detours and closures can be found at pa.gov/i95updates.