A section of I-95 in Philadelphia has collapsed

[NT2C]

A section of I-95 in Philadelphia has collapsed after a tanker truck fire

I've driven over this very spot many, many times.

[EBuff75]

I saw that in the news and that looks like it's really going to suck for people in that area.  Even doing all the repairs on an emergency basis, this is likely to take a long while to fix.  Obviously, the one side of the overpass has to be replaced and possibly the other side as well.  Plus the damage to the roadbed in the underpass, and even repairs to the drainage and utilities, where the burning fuel emptied. 

About 14 years ago there was a tanker crash/fire at a simple surface road overpass above I-75 here in Detroit.  That still took 5 months to replace one span of a 2-lane bridge.  I'm guessing that a multi-lane freeway overpass will be slightly more complex!

[Anianna]

One of the drivers who went over that section in the opposite lanes of traffic recorded the pretty severe dip on even that side.  That side could have easily gone, too. 

This will affect more than just that area.  95 is the major mode of delivery and transport for the entire eastern seaboard with links to other major interstates heading west from the coast.  Rerouting that much heavy truck traffic will be a logistics nightmare and potentially damage roadways that were not designed for that kind of use. 

I find it interesting that there was no mention of any other vehicles involved or any kind of crash and the tanker just happened to catch fire directly under the interstate overpass.  I'm leaning towards foul play on this one.

[Anianna]

About 14 years ago there was a tanker crash/fire at a simple surface road overpass above I-75 here in Detroit.  That still took 5 months to replace one span of a 2-lane bridge.  I'm guessing that a multi-lane freeway overpass will be slightly more complex!

I figure it is more complex, but also they're likely to throw more money at it faster given several factors, not the least of which is the money the federal government has given states recently to fund major infrastructure projects

[Uomo Senza Nome]

As bad as it will snarl traffic there are a few other spots where it could have been much worse. 

There are a couple of places south of DC on 95, If destroyed, would sever the Northeast and the southeast completely, without several hundred miles of detours.

[MacWa77ace]

Now we know how to disable any road the alien invaders will use against us.

Needed.
1) fuel tanker, full
1) match
1) concrete suspension overpass



  this one probably only needs a hammer.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Now we know how to disable any road the alien invaders will use against us.

Needed.
1) fuel tanker, full
1) match
1) concrete suspension overpass



  this one probably only needs a hammer.

Looking at that mess, I don't think a hammer would be needed.

I'd think just a strong sneeze would be enough to knock it down.

[Anianna]

Now we know how to disable any road the alien invaders will use against us.

Needed.
1) fuel tanker, full
1) match
1) concrete suspension overpass



  this one probably only needs a hammer.

Pft, that one only needs a stiff wind.

[EBuff75]

Now that they've cleared off most of the collapsed portion, you can see how badly damaged some of the walls and beams are.  Anyone want to bet on whether they have to demo / replace that wall on the right side of the 3rd picture in the article? (the one with the excavator in the picture)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/12/us/philadelphia-i95-collapse-fire-monday/index.html 

[MacWa77ace]

Now that they've cleared off most of the collapsed portion, you can see how badly damaged some of the walls and beams are.  Anyone want to bet on whether they have to demo / replace that wall on the right side of the 3rd picture in the article? (the one with the excavator in the picture)

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/12/us/philadelphia-i95-collapse-fire-monday/index.html 

To make that wall they drive pilings that are about 3'x3'x 50' and there are probably 10-15 pilings there behind that wall which is just a facia. the pilings might be ok as they are in dirt and gravel.

 

[EBuff75]

Wow, that was quick!

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/us/pocono-raceway-jet-dryer-i95-philadelphia/index.html

[Uomo Senza Nome]

Not sure if happy they got it done, or sad to know I've been lied to for all theae years.

[EBuff75]

As I'd hoped, Practical Engineering did a video about the bridge collapse.  What I hadn't realized is the method they employed in order to reopen the freeway so quickly.  They actually filled in the area underneath it to support a temporary roadway, while they work to completely rebuild the bridge.

[Uomo Senza Nome]

As I'd hoped, Practical Engineering did a video about the bridge collapse.  What I hadn't realized is the method they employed in order to reopen the freeway so quickly.  They actually filled in the area underneath it to support a temporary roadway, while they work to completely rebuild the bridge.

Watched that today. Love that guy.