Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has vowed to expedite the repair of the crucial I-95 highway, a major artery along the East Coast, following a devastating collapse caused by a tanker truck fire. The incident is anticipated to impact shipping costs due to necessary rerouting of commercial vehicles.

During a visit to the site of the collapsed overpass in Philadelphia, Buttigieg acknowledged the significant disruption to trucking routes, predicting upward pressure on shipping expenses along the East Coast. He assured that all necessary resources would be allocated to support Pennsylvania's swift and safe reconstruction of the bridge.

The highway closure coincides with the start of the summer travel season, exacerbating traffic congestion in Philadelphia, disrupting businesses, and forcing trucking companies to seek alternative routes. One fatality has been confirmed in connection with the accident, with authorities working to formally identify the remains.

The collapsed northbound section of I-95, along with the southbound lanes compromised by the intense heat of the fire, will require demolition. Pennsylvania's Transportation Secretary, Michael Carroll, is expected to unveil a replacement plan soon. The projected timeline for rebuilding the damaged 100-foot section extends into July or August.

Buttigieg highlighted the economic significance of the affected highway section, noting that approximately 8% of the 160,000 vehicles traversing it daily are trucks, representing a substantial portion of the nation's GDP in transit. He mentioned ongoing collaboration with navigation software companies like Google and Waze to optimize alternative routing options.

While the exact cost increase for shipping remains uncertain, Buttigieg emphasized that there is ultimately no substitute for a fully functional I-95. He underscored the urgency of restoring this critical transportation link.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (left) with Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at the I-95 collapse site, June 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The incident has drawn comparisons to similar infrastructure failures, including a highway ramp collapse in Oakland, California, which was replaced in 26 days, and a section of Interstate 85 in Atlanta, which took 43 days to rebuild after a fire-induced collapse in 2017.