I-95 Emergency Bridge Replacement Honored by ENR MidAtlantic

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Benesch’s efforts to repair and replace I-95 over Cottman Avenue have once again earned industry recognition. At the ENR MidAtlantic Best Projects awards hosted on October 25, the project received the Award of Merit in the highway/bridge category. The award highlights the project team’s ability to overcome challenges and contribute to both the community and industry.

Immediately following the June 2023 crash that caused severe damage to the superstructure and closed the bridge, PennDOT enlisted Benesch to help develop a plan to restore traffic along the corridor which accommodates more than 160,000 vehicles each day.

The emergency situation challenged the team to design under a tight timeline while facing significant public pressure. The team worked together to make critical design decisions for both the temporary roadway and permanent bridge replacement within a few days of the collapse.

Just 12 days after the collapse, a temporary roadway was constructed and I-95 reopened to three lanes of traffic in each direction. Benesch went on to provide design services in a design-build capacity for the structure’s permanent replacement which was completed in the summer of 2024.

“While this project is certainly one for Benesch history books, being recognized by ENR is an honor we won’t soon forget either!” said Senior Project Manager Sandi Yeakley. “I continue to be incredibly proud of the collaboration and hard work our team put into restoring this corridor.”

Members of the project team gathered at the ENR MidAtlantic awards event to accept the Award of Merit and celebrate the project’s success. For more information on the project and its industry recognition, click here.