Credit: (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)Following the collapse of a segment of Interstate 95 in northeast Philadelphia, traffic detours are necessary across New Jersey, and congestion should be expected by commuters taking new routes.
I-95 is the main north-south highway for the East Coast, running from Florida to Maine. Thus the closure will not only impact local commuters but also commerce and tourism.
Sunday morning at 6:20 a.m., a tanker truck caught fire under an overpass along the highway between exits 30 and 32 in Pennsylvania.
A tanker truck fire this morning in NE Philadelphia has led to the partial collapse of an elevated section of I-95 and closure of the highway in this area. We’re grateful to first responders who were quickly on the scene and continue to manage the immediate response.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 11, 2023
Commuters in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania are being urged to pay close attention to travel advisories as state and local officials develop alternative routes to remedy the situation.
In the meantime, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is providing on-road signs to aid detouring commuters as well as messaging through social media for up-to-date information.
“Motorists are encouraged to plan additional time for their commutes and to be patient as all find the best detour route for their particular travels,” said Jim Barry, the director of communications for NJ DOT.
Alternative routes
Zoom into the map for route details from Walt Whitman, Benjamin Franklin, Delaware Memorial and Burlington-Bristol bridges. You can also find specific directions and more route details on GPS platforms like Google Maps and Waze.
The department is in communication with PennDOT and other agencies, including federal officials, to update New Jersey residents on information pertaining to travel advisories. Barry recommended motorists follow the agency on Twitter and Facebook for updates. (@NewJerseyDOT) Real-time travel information is available online.
Until the overpass is repaired, commuters traveling both to and from New Jersey and Pennsylvania will need to take alternative routes that could spill over into each state. “There are folks who live in Pennsylvania who will cross over into New Jersey, head further south, and go back into Philadelphia because they work in center city Philadelphia,” said Jana Tidwell, the manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Tidwell emphasized that New Jersey commuters will experience increased congestion on roads such as I-295, the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130. “As commuters and travelers circumvent this portion of the highway in Pennsylvania many of them may look at NJ roadways as a viable detour and workaround. So New Jersey residents should be prepared for additional travel volume on roadways in and around the Philadelphia area,” said Tidwell.
Travel tips
Here are some tips to stay prepared, provided by AAA Mid-Atlantic:
- Plan — Motorists should have a commuting plan, including adjusted schedules and hours. If possible, consider remote or hybrid work to avoid commuting.
- Alternative routes — Pennsylvania motorists may find the best alternative route is to head into New Jersey, then back into their home state.
- Public transportation — New Jersey residents should consider NJ Transit or PATCO; SEPTA has also added capacity.
- Additional costs — With alternative routes, motorists should prepare for additional spending on gasoline and bridge tolls.
- Stay connected — Motorists should check transportation websites and social media accounts for the latest updates on I-95 repair work, detours, public transportation changes and the like.
- Stay calm — Remain calm and courteous; do not engage in aggressive driving.
— Maps by Genesis Obando
