Emergency Bridge Repair Causes Closure on I-95 Northbound in Northeast Philly
PHILADELPHIA – A section of Interstate 95 northbound near the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue Interchange in Northeast Philadelphia has been closed for emergency bridge repair, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Diversions went into effect on Monday at 10 p.m. and the closure is expected to last for several days. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation issued a news release stating that crews are initiating bridge repairs following a vehicle collision that occurred on the Conrail Bridge in Northeast Philly at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
Overhead Bridge Repairs After Vehicle Collision
As a result of the collision, the area of I-95 north near the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue Interchange was reduced to a single lane for several hours as Conrail engineers assessed the bridge’s structural integrity.
Motorists traveling northbound on I-95 are being redirected to use the Betsy Ross/Aramingo Avenue Interchange (Exit 26), turn right on Aramingo Avenue, and then turn right onto Adams Avenue to access the ramp to I-95 north. The Castor Avenue ramp to I-95 north is also closed. Drivers are required to use Aramingo Avenue to access the I-95 ramp at Adams Avenue.
Impact on New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line
Additionally, the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line has temporarily suspended service in both directions from Philadelphia’s 30th Street to Cherry Hill stations due to the bridge collision. Alternate bus services are being provided by the Atlantic City Rail Line, transporting passengers between Philadelphia’s 30th Street and Cherry Hill stations.
Travel Advisory by PennDOT
PennDOT recommends that drivers avoid the affected construction areas on I-95 due to anticipated traffic congestions and possible delays.
For the latest traffic information in Pennsylvania, please visit PA511.com.
Commuter’s Experience
Prior to the closure, drivers experienced significant traffic delays after an oversized truck collided with the bridge. Motorists were frantically searching for exit routes.
Orlando Montanez, one affected driver, expressed his frustration: “People just looking. Everybody looking like, ‘Where can we get off? Like, what is the next exit?’ We just wanted to get off, and we had the kids in the back,” Montanez said. He also had to find a charger for his Tesla amidst the traffic congestion and barely managed to reach a nearby Royal Farms with only 6% battery remaining.
Prior Bridge Collapse
It is worth mentioning that the Conrail Bridge, which was struck by an oversized vehicle on Monday, is located just south of a collapsed section of I-95 northbound that occurred last year in June. During that incident, a commercial truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline caught fire near the I-95 Cottman Avenue off-ramp, resulting in the collapse of the northbound lanes of the interstate. Regrettably, the driver of the truck, Nathan “Nate” Moody, lost his life.
A temporary roadway was arranged to resume traffic flow 12 days after the collapse, which had a major impact on one of the city’s vital transportation routes.
