Pennsylvania governor signs disaster declaration to get federal help with I-95 collapse

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency in response to the collapse this past weekend of of the I-95 overpass in Philadelphia.

The move by the Democrat governor will allow the state government to use federal funds and expedite repairs on the damaged highway. 

The collapse occurred early Sunday morning as the result of a truck fire. Interstate-95 is the major highway from Florida to New England, the repairs is expected to result in months of detours and delays.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Sunday the agency will offer whatever assistance is possible with repairs and reconstruction.

Shapiro later said Buttigieg "has assured me that there will be absolutely no delay in getting federal funds deployed to quickly help us rebuild this critical artery.”

Roughly 160,000 vehicles usually drive through the section of I-95 per day, making it “likely the busiest interstate in our commonwealth,”says Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll.

Northbound lanes of the highway collapsed and southbound lanes were damaged from the intensity of the fire and were “not structurally sound to carry any traffic,” he also said. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a team to the site safety investigation, the agency said Sunday.

Shapiro also said his office is looking into alternatives to connect the roadway beyond detours.

“I found myself thanking the Lord that no motorists who were on I-95 were injured or died,” he also said.