Emergency Bridge Repair Closes I-95 North in NE Philadelphia

TL/DR –

A portion of Interstate 95 northbound near the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue Interchange in Northeast Philadelphia has been closed for emergency bridge repair following a vehicle strike on the Conrail Bridge. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that repairs will cause the highway to be closed for several days, and drivers will be detoured via Aramingo Avenue and Adams Avenue. As a result of the bridge strike, the New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line suspended service in both directions between Philadelphia’s 30th Street and Cherry Hill stations.

Emergency Bridge Repair Closes Portion of I-95 Northbound in Philadelphia

A segment of Interstate 95 (I-95) northbound near the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue Interchange in Northeast Philadelphia is temporarily closed due to emergency bridge repairs, announced the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The detours started on Monday at 10 p.m and are expected to last several days.

PennDOT reported that the repairs began after a vehicle hit the Conrail Bridge Monday around 1:30 p.m, prompting closure of the highway.

For several hours, the area of I-95 north near the Betsy Ross Bridge/Aramingo Avenue Interchange was reduced to just one lane while Conrail engineers assessed the bridge’s structural integrity.

Drivers of I-95 northbound are instructed to detour using the Betsy Ross/Aramingo Avenue Interchange (Exit 26), turn right on Aramingo Avenue, and then right onto Adams Avenue to access the ramp to I-95 north. The Castor Avenue ramp to I-95 north will also be closed and drivers are advised to use Aramingo Avenue to access the I-95 ramp at Adams Avenue.

Service Suspension and Alternative Bus Service

The New Jersey Transit Atlantic City Rail Line has also halted its service in both directions between Philadelphia’s 30th Street and Cherry Hill stations due to the bridge strike. An alternate bus service has been arranged between these stations for commuters.

For traffic updates in Pennsylvania, check PA511.com.

Impact of Bridge Strike on Commuters

Prior to the I-95 closure, traffic was backed up for miles on Monday after the oversized truck hit the bridge. “People were looking for exits. We just wanted to get off and we had the kids in the back,” expressed commuter Orlando Montanez.

Previous Bridge Collapse on I-95

The Conrail Bridge hit by the oversized vehicle is located just south of where a portion of I-95 northbound collapsed in June 2023. The collapse occurred after a commercial truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline caught fire after it crashed near the I-95 Cottman Avenue off-ramp.

Temporary roadway was constructed to restore traffic flow 12 days after the collapse which had shut down one of the city’s major arteries.

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