On the morning of June 11, 2023, a vehicle fire under I-95 near the Cottman Avenue exit in Northeast Philadelphia caused a portion of the highway to collapse. Preliminary reports indicate a tanker truck was involved in the fire. Pennsylvania State Police closed I-95 in both directions around the area.

The Philadelphia Fire Department placed the fire under control around 7:30 a.m. on June 11, 2023. Multiple City and state agencies are responding to address impacts to residents in the area and travelers affected by the road closure. We will share more details as they become available. 

On June 23, Mayor Jim Kenney joined Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll to officially reopen six lanes of traffic on I-95. Since the initial collapse, local, state, and federal partners have worked tirelessly to reopen the roadway safely and as quickly as possible. Efforts were ahead of schedule each step of the way to get traffic flowing on I-95 again. The new roadway opened to the public at noon on Friday.

Guidance for residents and visitors

  • On June 23, Mayor Jim Kenney joined Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll to officially reopen six lanes of traffic on I-95.
  • SEPTA is adding extra capacity and service. Residents are encouraged to use SEPTA as an alternative means of travel.
  • Complimentary parking is available at some PPA-operated SEPTA train station lots until further notice: 
    • Fern Rock Rail Station – 10th & Nedro Streets 
    • Fox Chase Rail Station – 500 Rhawn Street 
    • Torresdale Rail Station – 4900 Grant Avenue

Detour routes from PennDOT

Philadelphia Police detour and closure information along I-95

Philadelphia Police have the following closures and detours in place if you are traveling on I-95 in the area of the Cottman Avenue exit. Police will be located along the detour route.

Expect delays along the detour and note these are subject to change.

  • Castor Avenue on-ramp for I-95 northbound
    • Closed
  • Aramingo Avenue/I-95 on and off-ramps
    • On-ramp to I-95 northbound closed
    • Betsy Ross off-ramp to I-95 northbound closed
  • Bridge Street ramp
    • I-95 on-ramp at Bridge Street closed.
    • All traffic on Tacony Street will flow northbound only from Bridge Street to New State Road.
  • Tacony Street and Tacony-Palmyra Bridge
    • Tacony Palmyra Bridge traffic onto Tacony Street closed. All traffic continues westbound onto Levick Street.
  • Cottman Avenue exit and State Road closures
    • State Road from Cottman Avenue to Longshore Avenue will be one-way, southbound travel only.
  • Southbound I-95 detour
    • Exit I-95 southbound at Cottman Avenue.
    • At the end of the ramp, right on Bleigh Street.
    • Follow Bleigh to State Road, make a left onto State.
    • Travel State Road South to Longshore Avenue.
    • Re-enter I-95 southbound at State Road and Longshore Avenue.
  • Northbound I-95 detour
    • Exit I-95 at Aramingo Avenue.
    • At the end of the ramp, make a left onto Aramingo Avenue.
    • Follow Aramingo Avenue to Tacony Street. Turn right.
    • Take Tacony Street northbound around Tacony-Palmyra Bridge loop to New State Road. Continue northbound.
    • Travel New State Road to Milnor Street and re-enter I-95 northbound.

Share-A-Ride Carpooling

If you are impacted by the I-95 incident there are carpooling options available. Share-A-Ride matches people to others making a similar trip – it can be for regular trips like to/from work, or for one-time trips, too, like to sporting or cultural events. Anyone who signs up can earn points for recording their (non-SOV) trips, including transit, car/van pools, biking, and walking. Points add up for rewards like discounts at restaurants and retail establishments, etc.

Information on SAR and other ride-match programs in NJ, DE, and elsewhere in PA can be found at https://www.dvrpc.org/pacarpool/. Regional transportation management associations can help employers and employees with issues regarding changes in commuting due to this closure. SAR is funded through PennDOT and administered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Guidance for businesses

Philadelphia Police Department is providing on-site access to local businesses near the I-95 bridge collapse for all employees, customers, and deliveries. If your business is experiencing access problems due to local road closures or detours, contact the Department of Commerce Office of Business Services by calling (215) 683-2100 or emailing business@phila.gov. Commerce is working with the Philadelphia Police Department to assist local businesses.

Stay informed

Residents should keep up to date on the situation. Here are places you can learn more about what’s going on: