On Friday at noon, a collapsed section of Interstate 95 was reopened for traffic. In the morning, workers completed the final preparations on a temporary six-lane roadway, and it was ready for public use by 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). To ensure that the pavement was dry despite the rainy weather, a NASCAR racetrack jet dryer was brought in for assistance. Thanks to these efforts, the roadway was deemed safe and accessible once again.
“They said it couldn’t be done, you know,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. “When I stood here 12 days ago, I must say there was a pessimism in the air, one that I believe has lingered in this city and in this commonwealth for far too long. And today, all of us here together prove them wrong.”
“This was a moment of civic pride for Philly and Pennsylvania. We all came together and we proved that we could do big things again in Pennsylvania,” Shapiro said, reported WGAL 8.
Following Shapiro’s speech, there was a notable event on the newly paved section of roadway. Shortly after, police vehicles and fire engines made their way across the northbound side of the road, symbolically christening it in a special ceremony. This gesture marked a significant moment for the completion of the project.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, engineers wasted no time and have already begun working on the design process for the permanent roadway. They are actively involved in planning and preparing the blueprint for the long-term solution, ensuring a safe and reliable infrastructure for the future. Their efforts reflect a commitment to creating a lasting and sustainable roadway system.
