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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 15, 2023 03:47 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Jimmy Dillon and Sen. Frank A. Farry |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Disaster Proclamation Extension for Interstate 95 Collapse in Northeast Philadelphia |
| In the coming days, Sen. Farry and I will be introducing a concurrent resolution to extend Governor Shapiro's emergency disaster proclamation issued on June 12, 2023 in response to the collapse of the northbound bridge on Interstate 95 located in Northeast Philadelphia. On June 11, 2023 a truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline crashed beneath a bridge portion of I-95. The subsequent blaze resulted in the collapse of the northbound section and structurally damaging the southbound section beyond repair. Until the bridge can be rebuilt, all travel between exits 26 and 30, Aramingo and Cottman Avenues respectively, will be unable to utilize I-95. Traffic is currently being detoured via local roads which has caused significant logistical and economic pressures for our city, region, and nation. I-95 is a vital transportation route for the Philadelphia region and the United States as a whole. It sees 160,000 motorists on a daily average, 12,800 of which are commercial truck routes, and is a vital corridor for travel, the economy, and essential services. The emergency declaration allows Pennsylvania to access federal funds to further assist in reconstruction. The General Assembly will be required to extend this emergency declaration prior to July 4th. It is crucial that we renew this declaration and extend the emergency declaration until the affected portion of I-95 is fully repaired. Safety and an expeditious repair timeline are our paramount priorities and, with your support, we can cut through administrative roadblocks in the path to restoring contiguous service along I-95. This incident truly is a tragedy for Northeast Philadelphia and the surrounding area. The loss of life, the stress placed upon our community, and the disruption of our daily lives have resulted in some of the most trying days we have seen in recent memory. Now is a time to band together as Pennsylvanians and deliver the solidarity and support that we would to any neighbor experiencing a tragedy. Please join us in co-sponsoring this concurrent resolution. |
Introduced as SR136