Crack In I-95 Causes Philly Traffic Snarl

(CBS/AP)  A two-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia was shut down early Tuesday, backing up commuter traffic for miles, as workers began emergency repairs on a crack in a concrete support pillar beneath the major northeast corridor.

Repairs to the crack, which ranges from 2 inches to several inches wide, required closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of the highway north of the city's central business district, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Gene Blaum said Monday.

"Obviously, we feel it could compromise the strength of that section of the highway," Blaum said.

The section of the interstate carries about 190,000 vehicles a day, making the repair "a major undertaking," he said.

Traffic jammed at exit points as motorists were sent on detours around the closed area during the morning commute Tuesday. The stretch of I-95 was shut down after midnight.

"Fortunately it was found, we're on top of it, and we're taking care of the situation," he said.

Debbie Blase, a Delaware County carpenter, wasn't the only one made lost and late.

"It's a mess," Blase told the Philadelphia Inquirer as she gassed up her Toyota Paseo at a Sunoco on Aramingo Avenue. "I don't even know what streets I'm taking."

By 8 a.m., traffic was snarled throughout the surrounding neighborhood by motorists who hadn't bothered to check news reports before heading out on their morning commutes, reports the Inquirer.

"Our primary responsibility is to see that I-95 is safe," Mayor Michael Nutter said told CBS News affiliate KYW-TV in Philadelphia. But, he said "safety, not speed" would be the primary consideration.

Repairs are expected to last a minimum of two days and could take as long as five days.

A smaller crack, about a half-inch wide, was first noticed by an inspector last fall. The same inspector happened to be in the area Monday and decided to check on the support, Blaum said.

"This crack has grown considerably since October," Blaum said. "It was very fortuitous that he took that look today."

Concrete at the top of the column had crumbled, making reinforcing rods visible from the street below, and brick-sized chunks of concrete lay at the base of the pillar.

"Obviously this is certainly not something we would do unless it is absolutely necessary, to shut down the interstate, but it's going to be done," Blaum said.

Blaum said the highway's other supports in the area did not show similar deterioration. Several sections of I-95, including the column in question, had been scheduled for repair later this year, Blaum said.

PennDOT planned to erect four steel towers to surround and support the concrete pillar, after which the highway would be reopened. On Tuesday morning, workers were clearing concrete barriers so heavy equipment could be moved closer to the damaged pillar.

[timdgrim]

hbevis:

Touche! Point taken and you''re right. But the Iraq war is still wrong! Afghanistan was right. Maybe we should invade Mexico!

[downsteamjim]

They need to get crack off the streets.

[hbevis]

Another example of infrastructure being ignored in the United States while $12 Billion a month goes to Iraq to fight war on terror.

timdgrim at 03:29 PM : Mar 18, 2008

COSTS MORE THAN THE IRAQ WAR?


1. $11 Billion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year. http://***********/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies.
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens.
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare and Social
Services
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens.

10. The National Policy Institute, ''estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion
11. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
12. Nearly One Million *** Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States ''.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/immigration/bankofamerica.asp

[cantshutup]

could an engineering student figure out a way to damage concrete? just curious...would make a great book.

[timdgrim]

Another example of infrastructure being ignored in the United States while $12 Billion a month goes to Iraq to fight war on terror. How about a war on bad U. S. infrastructure. Oh wait, no oil under U. S. bridges and highways!!

[bozworth4]

Make sure the bridges in Bagdad are OK for VP. and all the gang. Let our bridges fall down. The ledgend of King George II will last for a long time to come.

[hbevis]

The Pennsylvania Governor and the Philadelphia Mayor both support Sen. Clinton. Sen. Obama gives a speech on "race" today in Philadelphia but many may not get to see him in person. I95 a main artery in the Philadelphia area leading to where Sen. Obama speaks will be shut down due to structural damage to a beam, the Philadelphia Mayor was in the news standing by the damaged beam citing the closed highway due to public safety. Traffic will be backed up for 3 to 4 hours easily! Hmmm, images show this beam was in this condition for some time, why the urgency to shut down this key artery when Sen. Obama comes to town? Shady? Would I95 have been shut down if Sen. Clinton was to give a key speech?



Posted by tbweb at 06:11 AM : Mar 18, 2008

I WONDER IF THIS IS TELLING US WHO IS GOING TO WIN PENNSYLVANIA WHEN THE VOTES ARE COUNTED.???

[yongamerica]

If everyone rode horses instead of cars this wouldn''t be a problem. I leave the question as to how to power the safety equipment, the turn signals and brake lights and air bags to the saddle designers.

[bks59]

yeah and 14 months for I35W in minneapolis, where the bridge failed during rush hour august 2007.

[tbweb]

A smaller crack, about a half-inch wide, was first noticed by an inspector last fall. The same inspector happened to be in the area Monday and decided to check on the support, Blaum said. "This crack has grown considerably since October," Blaum said. "It was very fortuitous that he took that look today."

Why was the initial crack ignored? How big does a crack have to get before action is taken? Why did he notice the crack was bigger by accident? Once a crack is discovered why wasn''t scheduled check ups normal, why did he have to stumble across a bigger crack? How many other cracks are out there being ignored until they get bigger waiting for inspectors stumble across them by accident? The crack policy looks retarded and scary, the same way the illegal narcotic crack policy does!