I-95 repair: Collapsed roadway will reopen in 2 weeks, Shapiro says

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A roadway over the collapsed portion of I-95 will open within two weeks, Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Saturday.

Since the highway collapsed, officials have been hesitant to give a timeline of when the highway would reopen. The news conference with President Joe Biden, Mayor Jim Kenney, Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, Rep. Brendan Boyle and other officials was the first time a timeline was given.

"I can now talk a little bit more about the progress that we're making," Shapiro said. "We will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks. We are going to get traffic moving again thanks to the extraordinary work that is going on here by these union trades workers."

The announcement from the governor came shortly after he took a helicopter tour of the collapse site with President Biden. Shapiro thanked officials for the federal support for the construction efforts and pointed out how many people were watching a livestream of the rebuilding efforts.

It was just six days ago a tanker truck fire destroyed this section of the highway. 

"We're going to continue to do everything we can in our power to get this back open as quickly and as easily as possible. We're not leaving until it's done," Biden said during the press conference.   

Similar to Shapiro, Biden applauded the work of crews at the site and the federal government's coordination with state and local officials. Biden is vowing full support as crews work on emergency repairs.

Before the news conference, Biden flew over the construction scene ahead of a planned reelection campaign rally with labor leaders at the Pennsylvania Convention Center with Vice President Kamala Harris. 

"I want to thank the fire first responders who dealt with the immediate aftermath and the workers on site. I saw some of them today as we flew over the site. And [they] have been working 24/7 to clear the debris," Biden said during the press conference.

Biden tried to meet with workers, but the crews couldn't spare them, labor leader Ryan Boyer said.    

Biden also outlined current and future federal funding to help rebuild the damaged I-95 overpass. He said that $3 million from quick-release emergency funds were provided by the federal government to offset the cost of repairs. Biden called the funds "just a down payment" and said that more aid is on the horizon.

"The federal government, I've committed, we're going to reimburse 100% of this phase of the work, and well over the first 200 days, and then after that, 90% of the work," Biden said.

Biden also made note that Pennsylvania already has $8.9 billion from the bi-partisan infrastructure law, including $6.5 billion for transportation projects that Shapiro can use immediately for the I-95 repairs. 

The demolition was completed Thursday.

Now crews are filling the underpass with tons of recycled glass nuggets so they can pave it over and construct a temporary overpass, with three lanes of traffic in each direction, while they begin to build a permanent bridge on each side.

"We're hoping that their plan goes through and everything opens up and you know, things start getting back to normal, semi," Chris Wilson said.

Wilson is the co-owner of Sharkey's Grill & Ale House on State Road. He says many customers are avoiding his restaurant because of the traffic detours.

"Oh, God. 85, 90%," Wilson said. "I mean, like I said, we've had numerous cancellations. We had reservations for Father's Day. It all canceled."

Despite the hit, Wilson is optimistic customers will come back.

"Little frustrated. But we're trying to stay positive," he said.

Wilson says he made it through the pandemic, so he's hopeful his business can survive this too.

Thousands of cars are being detoured through neighborhoods.

Karen Jackson's front porch on Torresdale Avenue used to be her peaceful retreat.

"It's more noise. It used to be kind of quiet," she said. "But it's more noise now a lot of activity going on now with cars."

Jackson says she can hear drivers getting frustrated sitting in the backup. The closure has also added about 45 minutes onto her commute so she is encouraged by the governor's announcement and thankful for the crews working around the clock.

"I think it will be great as long as it's safe for us," Jackson said.

Business owners say sales have improved slightly as drivers learn the detours and workarounds.

Now once the temporary lanes are in place and open to traffic on 95, officials say crews will then build a permanent bridge from the outside in.

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• I-95
• I-95 Philadelphia Collapse
• Philadelphia