I-95 in Port Richmond shut down in both directions for emergency repairs

A section of Interstate 95 in Port Richmond was shut down in both directions last night - and will likely be closed through the end of the week - after inspectors detected large crack on a steel-reinforced concrete column in Port Richmond.

Gene Blaum, a PennDot spokesman, said the column is located just north of Cambria Street. PennDot officials said they hope to buttress the interstate with steel towers over the next few days and reopen it by the end of the week. The highway, one of the most busy on the East Coast, carries about 180,000 vehicles a day.

For the time being, however, southbound traffic will exit at Bridge Street and northbound traffic will be forced to exit at Delaware Avenue.

The crack in the 15-foot column runs about four long from the top and is two inches wide, the officials said.

Chuck Davies, assistant district executive for design with PennDot, said the problem was discovered about 5 p.m. Monday by a bridge inspection team with a consulting firm under contract with the state transportation agency.

PennDot closed the section of the interstate shortly after 10 p.m. and began plotting out alternate routes for this morning's rush hour.

"We are going to get some materials on site and our design engineer will work overnight to put together plans so temporary supports can be put in place starting tomorrow," said Davies.

"It will be done over period of days, as fast as possible."