I-95 Emergency Replacement Receives Remarkable Achievement Award

PHILADELPHIA, PA—The I-95 Emergency Replacement Project has received the 2023 Remarkable Achievement Award from the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors, PennDOT and the PA Turnpike Commission. Presented to Benesch and project partners PennDOT District 6-0, Buckley and AeroAggregates, the award recognizes the project for its remarkable response to a high-profile situation while highlighting the vital nature of safe and functioning road systems.

On June 11, 2023, a tanker truck carrying gasoline lost control on an I-95 off-ramp in Philadelphia, resulting in a devastating fire that engulfed the northbound mainline bridge of I-95. The steel superstructure yielded and collapsed within minutes and the southbound bridge was compromised, leaving the corridor severed.

To get the critical corridor open, the project team developed a plan to construct a temporary roadway to carry three lanes of traffic in each direction. Benesch served as prime consultant for the project, engaging 35 of its staff members alongside PennDOT and Buckley to restore this critical transportation link along the East Coast.

With intense political and public pressure and an unprecedented timeline, the I-95 solution was a true testament to collaboration, innovation and resilience from all team members. The structure was reopened to the public in just 12 days thanks to an innovative design-build project delivery.

The Remarkable Achievement Award was presented during the annual APC Fall Seminar.