Heads up: I95 in Philadelphia collapsed

[The Spin Meister]

Tanker truck crashed and burned. Over pass down.

'Remarkable devastation': Pa. gov. to issue disaster declaration after I-95 collapses in Philly. Shutdown expected to last 'months'

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro will issue a disaster declaration to help with a rebuild on I-95 that's expected to take "some number of months" after a truck fire caused a portion of the highway to collapse in Northeast Philadelphia.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

 

[Ian]

Philly has been burning for awhile now… since before summer of 2020!

 

[Delco Lion]

One side is completely down and the other side of the highway has suffered structural integrity damage. Both sides will be shut down for several months, affectively closing I-95 in that part of Philadelphia.

 

[LMTLION]

One side is completely down and the other side of the highway has suffered structural integrity damage. Both sides will be shut down for several months, affectively closing I-95 in that part of Philadelphia.

Several months of hell!

 

[The Spin Meister]

One side is completely down and the other side of the highway has suffered structural integrity damage. Both sides will be shut down for several months, affectively closing I-95 in that part of Philadelphia.

I don’t know anything about local alternatives but rbis could be a nightmare for the area. They may look into new and restrictive traffic patterns in the area to control traffic and protect local roads and neighborhoods.

 

[Nittany82]

I don’t know anything about local alternatives but rbis could be a nightmare for the area. They may look into new and restrictive traffic patterns in the area to control traffic and protect local roads and neighborhoods.

There really aren’t any great alternatives…the side streets around I-95 in that area are either one or two lane roads or going through neighborhoods. Philly is full of narrow streets …It’s going to be a mess.

 

[step.eng69]

I don’t know anything about local alternatives but rbis could be a nightmare for the area. They may look into new and restrictive traffic patterns in the area to control traffic and protect local roads and neighborhoods.

Looking at the sag in the SB lanes, The southbound traffic is certainly compromised. The north bound lanes are gone.
Depending on the strength evaluations of the steel girders on the compromised south bound lanes.....I believe the temporary solution is to totally structural scaffold under the south bound I-95 to temporarily permit traffic flow thru the area, while the NB is under construction.
Unfortunately, this is going to be a fluster-cluck for a while.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Looking at the sag in the SB lanes, The southbound traffic is certainly compromised. The north bound lanes are gone.
Depending on the strength evaluations of the steel girders on the compromised south bound lanes.....I believe the temporary solution is to totally structural scaffold under the south bound I-95 to temporarily permit traffic flow thru the area, while the NB is under construction.
Unfortunately, this is going to be a fluster-cluck for a while.

Interesting proposal there, Step. Have such a temporary scaffolding been done for damaged over passes before? That would be some interesting engineering.

 

[voltz99]

Looking at the sag in the SB lanes, The southbound traffic is certainly compromised. The north bound lanes are gone.
Depending on the strength evaluations of the steel girders on the compromised south bound lanes.....I believe the temporary solution is to totally structural scaffold under the south bound I-95 to temporarily permit traffic flow thru the area, while the NB is under construction.
Unfortunately, this is going to be a fluster-cluck for a while.

You already mentioned the problem. The steel is probably compromised.

 

[bcspsu]

You already mentioned the problem. The steel is probably compromised.

This incident should put to rest the conspiracy theories about the collapses of the various World Trade Centers on 9/11.

 

[step.eng69]

I don’t know anything about local alternatives but rbis could be a nightmare for the area. They may look into new and restrictive traffic patterns in the area to control traffic and protect local roads and neighborhoods.

My post should be "shoring", not scaffold. Large steel columns supporting temp transverse beams that support the existing longitudinal bridge girders. Of course this can only happen upon the condition strength of the SB steel.

I remember reading several yrs ago a similar temp shoring technique was installed on I-95 in another state.

 

[step.eng69]

Interesting proposal there, Step. Have such a temporary scaffolding been done for damaged over passes before? That would be some interesting engineering.

You already mentioned the problem. The steel is probably compromised.

Saw a report indicating the SB lanes will also have to be removed….starting today

 

[The Spin Meister]

Saw a report indicating the SB lanes will also have to be removed….starting today

Looks like the main beams are pretty twisted….. cross ties likely failed. Woulda been a huge improvement if they could have kept one side functioning for a few months.

 

[The Spin Meister]

USA Today has good article with various alternate routes to take.

Couple good things…..it’s on the north end of Philly and not close to the airport. And long distance travelers and truckers can take I295 in Jersey.

Where is the I-95 collapse? Where it happened and detours, alternate routes available

Pennsylvania's governor says he will issue a disaster declaration as early as Monday to help speed the repairs of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

www.usatoday.com

 

[PSURAHJ]

USA Today has good article with various alternate routes to take.

Couple good things…..it’s on the north end of Philly and not close to the airport. And long distance travelers and truckers can take I295 in Jersey.

Where is the I-95 collapse? Where it happened and detours, alternate routes available

Pennsylvania's governor says he will issue a disaster declaration as early as Monday to help speed the repairs of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

www.usatoday.com

yep, this is bad but could've been way worse if it was anywhere in South Philly. Imagine the Girard Point Bridge section of I95 being closed for multiple months in both directions. it would be transportation Armageddon!

 

[step.eng69]

Looks like the main beams are pretty twisted….. cross ties likely failed. Woulda been a huge improvement if they could have kept one side functioning for a few months.

Yes it would Meister,
that is what i was hoping.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Haven’t heard anything official. But just from looking at some pics…..gonna be a long slog. The tanker hit the retaining wall that appears to double as the main support for the overhead span and for the ramp to it. And it appears that column is heavily damaged by the fire.

If that entire wall needs replaced it will take quite a while. They would have to remove it while supporting the ramp. Then after they rebuild it with new concrete that will take at least a month for it to cure enough to start putting weight on it. There some additives that accelerate curing but not sure if they can be used in these structures as some additional es weaken that final concrete.

If the damage is more surface damage then perhaps they can use shotcrete to rebuild the surface, which would save considerable time.

Waiting to hear some damage reports with repair estimates.

 

[royboy]

Are Philadelphia and Pennsylvania political officials up to the task of managing a safe, effective, rapid fix? And the Biden/Buttigieg federal team too?

Despite years of electing Democrats, even Pennsylvania voters can pay attention to how things go in these disaster recovery situations and judge those in office.

 

[LMTLION]

Are Philadelphia and Pennsylvania political officials up to the task of managing a safe, effective, rapid fix? And the Biden/Buttigieg federal team too?

Despite years of electing Democrats, even Pennsylvania voters can pay attention to how things go in these disaster recovery situations and judge those in office.

It’s Philly. You know someone is getting a cut somewhere in the rebuild. In fact, I’m sure there are several prominent people down there salivating over this project.

 

[tboyer]

The driver's been identified and the plot thickens -- he was highly experienced driver with a spotless record who drove this route all the time. Highly unlikely he just forgot to slow down for that ramp. Either the guy had a heart attack or stroke (possible as he was in his mid-50s) or some kind of mechanical malfunction, but with everything burned to a crisp they may never be able to figure it out. At least they can check maintenance logs for the truck.

 

[LMTLION]

That is a very busy stretch of interstate - they are reporting it at 160k vehicles per day and 8 lanes. Now they are saying this will have a huge supply chain impact along the east coast and potentially impacts to prices of goods.

 

[PAgeologist]

It’s Philly. You know someone is getting a cut somewhere in the rebuild. In fact, I’m sure there are several prominent people down there salivating over this project.

Projects are expensive. Emergency Projects start adding zeros before the decimal point.

Between the federal, state and local politicians and labor unions I'm sure some folks will come out ahead. Of course with taxpayers footing the bill.

 

[SLUPSU]

My post should be "shoring", not scaffold. Large steel columns supporting temp transverse beams that support the existing longitudinal bridge girders. Of course this can only happen upon the condition strength of the SB steel.

I remember reading several yrs ago a similar temp shoring technique was installed on I-95 in another state.

They've decided to fill in and close the underpass, backfill and place concrete on grade. Definitely the quickest fix, but leaving the final access solution for later. Could be back open in a few weeks.

 

[The Spin Meister]

They've decided to fill in and close the underpass, backfill and place concrete on grade. Definitely the quickest fix, but leaving the final access solution for later. Could be back open in a few weeks.

Pretty smart. Just losing one exit ramp. Don’t know how busy it was but looks like a minor exit …..AFAICT

 

[SLUPSU]

Pretty smart. Just losing one exit ramp. Don’t know how busy it was but looks like a minor exit …..AFAICT

Yes it is, they're also talking about building a new six-lane bridge without disrupting traffic, will be interesting to see the details on that and it sounds complicated and really expensive.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Yes it is, they're also talking about building a new six-lane bridge without disrupting traffic, will be interesting to see the details on that and it sounds complicated and really expensive.

Heard the new one was supposed to beside the old one. That means displacing a lot of people: businesses.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

It’s Philly. You know someone is getting a cut somewhere in the rebuild. In fact, I’m sure there are several prominent people down there salivating over this project.

As a well-known member of the Philly Mob, I intend to “wet my beak” so to speak

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Haven’t heard anything official. But just from looking at some pics…..gonna be a long slog. The tanker hit the retaining wall that appears to double as the main support for the overhead span and for the ramp to it. And it appears that column is heavily damaged by the fire.

If that entire wall needs replaced it will take quite a while. They would have to remove it while supporting the ramp. Then after they rebuild it with new concrete that will take at least a month for it to cure enough to start putting weight on it. There some additives that accelerate curing but not sure if they can be used in these structures as some additional es weaken that final concrete.

If the damage is more surface damage then perhaps they can use shotcrete to rebuild the surface, which would save considerable time.

Waiting to hear some damage reports with repair estimates.

You doin’ that in 220 @The Spin Meister?

 

[SLUPSU]

Heard the new one was supposed to beside the old one. That means displacing a lot of people: businesses.

This reporter talks about the fill material they're planning to use, check her out... err sorry, I mean check it out.... the fill

 

[The Spin Meister]

You doin’ that in 220 @The Spin Meister?

Yeppers, whatever it takes.

 

[SLUPSU]

Heard the new one was supposed to beside the old one. That means displacing a lot of people: businesses.

No displacing of people or businesses is needed.

The linked image explains a lot, what the work will look like after the first phase of temporary work is complete.

After looking at the satellite image, it looks like there is horizontal room for about 14 lanes to work with. The first step is to build 6 lanes in the middle, 3 in each direction, leaving the 6 lanes on the outside. It looks like they will work on the permanent bridge replacement on those outside lanes within the confines of the existing available space, and provide 3 new lanes in each direction. They will then move traffic to the new three-lane bridge(s), then they will remove the work shown in the photo, and complete the new bridge(s) at the center six lanes.

Temporary Stage Construction-LOGO.jpg (3300×2471) (pa.gov)

 

[step.eng69]

No displacing of people or businesses is needed.

The linked image explains a lot, what the work will look like after the first phase of temporary work is complete.

After looking at the satellite image, it looks like there is horizontal room for about 14 lanes to work with. The first step is to build 6 lanes in the middle, 3 in each direction, leaving the 6 lanes on the outside. It looks like they will work on the permanent bridge replacement on those outside lanes within the confines of the existing available space, and provide 3 new lanes in each direction. They will then move traffic to the new three-lane bridge(s), then they will remove the work shown in the photo, and complete the new bridge(s) at the center six lanes.

Temporary Stage Construction-LOGO.jpg (3300×2471) (pa.gov)

Cool,
It should be interesting to follow the construction prowess of building the temporary NB and SB lanes of I-95 while building the new overpasses & ramp.

$hit, I forgot the suppliers may escalate consumer prices due to this accident....get the Expressway working again.

 

[step.eng69]

They've decided to fill in and close the underpass, backfill and place concrete on grade. Definitely the quickest fix, but leaving the final access solution for later. Could be back open in a few weeks.

Thank you SLUPSU...
interesting.....two weeks, then commodities prices shouldn't escalate due to mishap on I-95.

 

[Cletus11]

Pretty smart. Just losing one exit ramp. Don’t know how busy it was but looks like a minor exit …..AFAICT

that is busy exit, but not a major exit that is correct. So people will end up getting off/on the exit before and after which will crowd up some of those side streets a little bit but the ability to get 95 open again by maybe mid July would be really good for the area.

i was talking at work and he said the trucking company did not have the proper permits to be driving in PA (they were only licensed in NJ?). If that is true, then most likely insurance wont' cover it and that company will need to declare bankruptcy as they will be sued for hundreds of millions of dollars with no coverage most likely.