PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has finally given a timeline for reopening the collapsed section of I-95 — two weeks.
The governor made the announcement while appearing with President Joe Biden, Mayor Jim Kenney and other leaders at a Philadelphia International Airport hangar.
The president arrived in Philadelphia Saturday morning for a scheduled campaign stop, but first took a 40-minute aerial tour of the site of the devastating June 11 road collapse. He was joined by Shapiro, Kenney, Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and Rep. Brendan Boyle.
They followed the tour with the press briefing, during which Biden spoke of the federal government's commitment to the project and our area — as well as promising financial assistance for the construction costs.
"We're going to reimburse 100% of this phase of the work and well over the first 200 days," he said, "then after that, 90% of the work. We'll be here until the end. We won't leave until it's finished."
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The biggest reveal, however, was from Shapiro, who revealed a timeline for the reopening, after eluding the question for days.
"I can state with confidence," he told reporters, "that we will have I-95 open within the next two weeks."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the area Tuesday, promised that the federal government would provide the needed assistance to repair the destruction, although he warned that the wreckage will likely raise the cost of consumer goods in the short term because truckers must now travel longer routes.
President Biden is scheduled to rally later Saturday afternoon at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with union members in Philadelphia and accept an endorsement from the AFL-CIO. He is expected to highlight the 13 million jobs that have been created since he's taken office.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Stay with KYW Newsradio for more information as this story develops.