I-95 Emergency Repairs Honored by Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA – Nearly a year after a crash caused the partial collapse of twin spans carrying I-95 traffic over Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia, the emergency repair project continues to garner recognition from industry organizations. Most recently, the project was awarded the Project of the Year award in the transportation category by the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP).

Following the truck crash on June 11, 2023, that caused the closure of a section of the roadway connecting New York City to Philadelphia and typically sees 160,000 vehicles each day, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation selected Benesch to help with the temporary solution and the future permanent replacement. A temporary retaining wall system was backfilled with Pennsylvania-made lightweight recycled foamed glass aggregate. A temporary roadway was paved on top of the aggregate and incorporated precast concrete barriers. Just 12 days after the crash, three lanes of traffic in each direction were restored.

The project team’s quick response and innovative technical approach has earned the project repeated recognition. In addition to the Project of the Year Award from ESWP, the project has received the WTS Philadelphia Innovative Transportation Solution Award, the Associated PA Constructors (APC) Remarkable Achievement Award, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers – Delaware County Chapter Outstanding Project Award, and the American Council of Engineering Companies – Pennsylvania Grand Conceptor Diamond Award.

Learn more about the emergency repair project and the permanent replacement here.