On Sunday, June 11, a tanker truck burst into flames beneath an elevated portion of I-95 in Northeast Philadelphia. The fire caused the section of road to collapse, blocking the East Coast’s main highway on both sides.

The collapse caused a months-long impact on the road, with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announcing the road cannot currently carry any traffic. Hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers will feel the impact, as this portion of highway comprises one of the busiest in the country.

As of Monday, remains were discovered of the truck driver, identified as Nathaniel Moody. While no other related deaths or injuries have been reported, the road closure will greatly impact summer travel. Summer road trips are a popular mode of travel, with the East Coast seeing countless tourists flock to cities up and down the coast.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced via Twitter, “If you are traveling along the I-95 corridor in the coming days and weeks, please pay close attention to local traffic alerts as we expect significant regional traffic impact.”

How can travelers best navigate this area while roads are closed? There are several options. Travelers and commuters coming from northeast New Jersey can head west on either I-78 or I-80 and then take the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension (I-476). This joins I-95 south of Philadelphia International Airport.

Travelers northbound can consider these alternative routes:

• Take I-676 west to I-76 west to Boulevard North to Woodhaven Road
• Take I-476 to PATP East to Philadelphia Bensalem Route 1
• Take Delaware Memorial or Commodore Barry in New Jersey, then the New Jersey Turnpike North to Exit 6 back into Pennsylvania in Bensalem

Travelers southbound can consider these alternative routes:

• Take PATP west to I-476 South to I-76 East to Center City
• Exit Woodhaven to Boulevard South to I-76 east to CC
• Take Burlington Bristol or Turnpike Connector Bridge into New Jersey, then either I-295 South or New Jersey Turnpike to the Ben Franklin, Commodore Barry or Delaware Memorial bridges

Commuters and travelers from New York City can opt for the train, as well. SEPTA, Philadelphia’s public transportation service, added capacity to the West Trenton, Trenton and Fox Chase Regional Rail Lines.

Bus routes 70, 78 and 84 will be detoured until further notice.

While the total impact of the road closure continues to unfold, delays already appear within the city. Road travel during Fourth of July is expected to be impacted, as well.

Stay up to date on road closures here.

Has the road closure affected your travels/commutes so far? Do you plan to travel through Philadelphia in the coming months? How might this impact your travels? Tell us your thoughts. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.