PennDOT has been a named a finalist in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ 2024 America’s Transportation Awards competition for its I-95 bridge collapse response, the agency has announced.

In the early morning of June 11, 2023, a fire caused the I-95 to collapse over Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia.

From there, the PennDOT District 6 team sprang into action as Governor Josh Shapiro issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency. This allowed the team to quickly mobilize contractors to demolish the collapsed bridge and procure the materials needed to build a temporary roadway.

With coordination between PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the City of Philadelphia, and the around-the-clock work of the Philadelphia Building Trades and contractors, I-95 was reopened to traffic just 12 days after the fire and collapse.

On May 23, 2024, the permanent reconstruction of the bridge was completed.

“Reopening I-95 in record time was the direct result of incredible collaboration and is a testament to what is possible when everyone is committed to taking action and finding solutions,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. 

PennDOT is one of 12 finalists competing for the Grand Prize and People’s Choice Award.

Read more about PennDOT’s I-95 collapse response and other award nominees at PennDOT.

_____