Federal funding will be made available in the rebuilding efforts of a busy portion of Interstate 95 that collapsed in Philadelphia, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a visit to the site Tuesday.
His comments came after Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a disaster declaration Monday, a day after a large section of the major highway was destroyed due to a tractor-trailer fire.
“There’s no question in my mind that all of the resources that [the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation] needs federally will be available,” Buttigieg told reporters Tuesday. “We’ve already made clear that they are available ever since the governor’s disaster declaration made it possible.”
The tractor-trailer was carrying gasoline when it flipped on a ramp, officials said. The ensuing fire wiped out northbound lanes and damaged southbound lanes.
Authorities have not identified a body that was discovered at the scene. However, family members of Nathaniel “Nate” Moody, 53, identified him as the driver to Philadelphia news station WCAU.
Moody, a father of three, had been a truck driver for a decade, his cousin told the TV outlet.
“My cousin is a hardworking man. Family man,” Alex Moody said. “Good husband and father to his wife and daughter. … He’s very mild-mannered. Calm guy. Really calm person. He gets along with everybody.”
I-95 runs north and south along the East Coast. Approximately 160,000 vehicles drove on the affected area each day on what is the state’s busiest highway, according to local officials. It’s now closed in both directions.
“At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for I-95 being up and running in full working condition,” Buttigieg said.
The section that collapsed was deemed in good condition earlier this year by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The next inspection was scheduled for 2025.
Crews plan to demolish both sides of the highway. Repairs are expected to take “some number of months,” according to Shapiro.
The governor’s disaster declaration made available $7 million in funding from Pennsylvania and aimed to “expedite the rebuilding of I-95,” he said.
“My Administration is in regular contact with our federal partners, who have pledged their complete support and assistance as we create alternative routes and rebuild I-95,” Shapiro said in a statement Monday. “My Administration is all hands on deck to repair I-95 as safely and as efficiently as possible.”