PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia commuters might want to seek alternative routes in the coming days – and, perhaps weeks – as officials are saying the I-95 bridge in Northeast Philly may be shut down for months following its partial collapse Sunday.
According to Jana Tidwell with AAA Public Affairs, commuter volume is nearing pre-pandemic levels.
Michael Carroll, secretary of Transportation, estimated Sunday that roughly 160,000 vehicles drive up and down I-95 each day.
And now, people who use the corridor – and people who don’t – are expected to feel that impact on the road indefinitely. Drivers will be forced to take detours, which could take you miles out of the way and get you caught in a lot more traffic than normal.
“Whether this impacts your commute or not, you need to be cognizant of the fact that roadways in and around Philadelphia, whether it's on the Philadelphia side of the bridge or the New Jersey side of the bridge, will definitely feel increased volume,” Tidwell said.
In addition to an influx of traffic, your “new normal” commute could also cost you more, as you’ll need more gas money for those extra miles.
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And it doesn’t stop there. If you’re criss-crossing between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you will have to pay a $5 toll to cross the bridge into the Keystone state.
Tidwell says because every commuter will be dealing with these traffic pattern changes, people should have a plan if they get detoured. And, in light of it all, she asks that people be patient.
“It may require leaving the house earlier, coming home later, adjusting a work schedule, adjusting your commuting schedule,” she said.
“At the end of the day, it's going to take more time. It could cost us some more money. But we want everyone to arrive where they need to be, safely.”
And, as for SEPTA Regional Rail users, train cars will be added to existing trips on the Trenton Line, West Trenton Line and Fox Chase Line. Free parking is available at all Regional Rail stations – Philadelphia Parking Authority parking lots near SEPTA stations will also be free.
Check their website for further updates.
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Sunday he will be issuing a Disaster Declaration to help move federal funding and repair the roadway.