PENNSYLVANIA — To expedite the reconstruction of the collapsed I-95 overpass, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to pass H.R. 279, a resolution that allows for an extended emergency disaster proclamation. The resolution was authored by state Rep. Anthony Bellmon, D-Phila.
H.R. 279 extends the disaster emergency declared on June 12, 2023, following the catastrophic collapse of the northbound bridge and severe compromise of the southbound bridge on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. The General Assembly has previously extended the emergency proclamation until November 1, 2023, through Senate Resolution No. 136 and for an additional 120 calendar days from November 1, 2023, via House Resolution No. 197. The latest extension was adopted on December 12, 2023, with a vote of 179-24.
“The I-95 bridge collapse has had a major effect on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the entire northeast United States,” said Rep. Bellmon. “We must extend the governor’s emergency declaration to ensure the bridge gets the proper reconstruction it needs so that we don’t witness another catastrophe happen to it, and so travelers can be safe driving on it.”
The initial disaster resulted from a tanker truck carrying gasoline losing control and catching fire while attempting to exit the highway in June. Gov. Josh Shapiro declared a disaster emergency proclamation the day after the accident. The extensions allow the state to continue accessing emergency funding and follow streamlined rules for repair work.
State Sen. Jimmy Dillion first introduced S.R. 136, which extended the proclamation until November 1. State Rep. Pat Gallagher followed this with another extension offered by H.R. 197.
“I am thankful for my House and Senate colleagues for making the reconstruction of I-95 a priority this legislative session,” said state Rep. Ed Neilson, chairman of the PA House Transportation Committee. “While we had crews working around the clock to ensure that I-95 was open in record time, we need to make sure that the construction is completed safely above all else to avoid catastrophes like this.”
Following its passage in the House, H.R. 279 will head to the Senate for concurrence, marking another step in the recovery efforts for one of the Northeast’s most critical transportation arteries.
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