Heavy Rain, Flooding Lead To Messy Morning Commute Across Philadelphia Region
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Heavy rain and flooding were to blame for several spinouts, accidents and headaches for drivers Monday morning throughout the Philadelphia region.
The biggest problem was along the Northbound Blue Route (I-476) in Delaware County between Broomall/Upper Darby (Exit 9) and Saint Davids/Villanova (Exit 13) where severe flooding forced the closure of the highway for more than an hour.
PennDOT crews had to clear a storm drain before the highway could be reopened.
"The northbound side of 476 has been reopened at approximately 6:40 this morning," said spokesman Gene Blaum. "PennDOT crews responded to the situation and opened the blocked storm drain. The water has receded."
Drivers used Route 320 as an alternate, but traffic was jammed for several miles as a result.
There was also some ponding on the southbound side, but traffic was able to get by following a brief closure in that direction. Blaum said crews would be checking to see if they have to unclog any drains there, as well. PennDOT crews were expected to be on alert throughout the day with flash flood watches in effect.
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Motorists traveling along Northbound I-95 from Naamans Road approaching Chicester Avenue also had to deal with a major traffic jam. The left lane was closed after a southbound truck ran off the roadway and crashed through the center guardrail before coming to a stop in the grass.
Flooding also slowed traffic on 26th Street Northbound at the ramp to I-76 Westbound where the left lane was blocked.
An accident blocked the right lane of the Vine Street Expressway at the Ben Franklin Parkway.
