Crack In I-95 Causes Philly Traffic Snarl

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.