I-95 Collapse in Philadelphia Causes Detours | What You Need to Know

June 12, 2023: PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Following the collapse of a section of I-95 northbound in Philadelphia’s Tacony area on Sunday morning, commuters seek alternative routes to navigate the city.

According to Matt Pellman, the Action News Traffic Reporter, there are no perfect alternate routes to replace this stretch of I-95, but several options are worth trying.

If traveling northbound, you’ll be directed off I-95 at Aramingo Avenue.

If you’re traveling southbound, you’ll be directed off I-95 at Cottman Avenue.

City officials in Philadelphia are recommending the following routes:

• For southbound drivers: Take Route 63 West (Woodhaven Road) to U.S. 1 South, then switch to 76 East, followed by 676 East, and finally, I-95 Southbound.
• For northbound drivers: Take I-676 West to I-76 West, then switch to U.S. 1 North. Take Route 63 East (Woodhaven Road) from there to reach I-95 Northbound.

If your destination permits, consider entering New Jersey via the Turnpike Connector Bridge or the Burlington-Bristol Bridge. Once in New Jersey, you have options such as Route 130, I-295, and the New Jersey Turnpike. However, please note that Route 130 is closed in Pennsauken due to a fire.

You can use the Ben Franklin Bridge, Walt Whitman Bridge, or Commodore Barry Bridge from New Jersey to return to Philadelphia or opt for the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Although these routes may seem longer, they will keep you moving.

Collapse Caused by Fire The collapse occurred around 6 a.m. Sunday beneath I-95 near the Cottman Avenue exit in the Tacony area of the city.

In a press conference, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated that the northbound lanes have completely collapsed, and the southbound lanes are unstable.

Governor Shapiro also mentioned that repairs are expected to take months to complete.

“We anticipate it will take some months. We will provide a specific timeline once engineers and PennDOT complete their review, aiming to expedite the process and minimize delays,” said Governor Shapiro.

As authorities assess the damage, here is what residents and visitors need to know:

SEPTA officials announced that additional capacity would be added to their services following the highway collapse.

“We are increasing capacity on the Trenton, West Trenton, and Fox Chase lines. This means additional cars on scheduled trains. We will be busing the Cynwyd Line to reassign equipment and personnel to the Trenton Line,” said Leslie S. Richards, CEO and General Manager of SEPTA.

On Monday, three extra Trenton Line trains will run during the morning and evening rush hours. In the morning, trains depart at 6:40 a.m. and 8:03 a.m. from Trenton, with one at 8:25 a.m. from Holmesburg Junction. In the evening, trains will run at 3:05 p.m. from Suburban Station to Holmesburg Junction, along with trains at 4:30 p.m. and 5:20 p.m. heading to Trenton.

Richards added, “Thanks to our partners at the Philadelphia Parking Authority, free parking will be available at their three park-and-ride lots at Fern Rock, Fox Chase, and Torresdale. Free parking is available at all SEPTA-owned Regional Rail lots and the Frankford Transportation Center to access the Market-Frankford Line.”

For more information on the expanded SEPTA services, visit their website.

State officials have also launched a website to provide updates on detours, road closures, and repairs related to I-95.

Service Delays Expected Residents in certain areas should anticipate delays in trash and recycling collections, as sanitation trucks must follow alternative routes. The Streets Department is currently assessing which areas will be affected.

To receive emergency alerts, residents can text ReadyPhila at 888-777.