Pennsylvania officials have revealed that the repair of a collapsed section of northbound I-95 in Philadelphia, caused by a fire that broke out under the highway when a tanker truck caught fire on Sunday morning, may require several months.

This situation has resulted in severe traffic congestion throughout the region and disrupted a crucial transportation route along the East Coast, CNN reported.

During a Sunday afternoon news conference, Governor Josh Shapiro informed the public that the commercial tanker truck, carrying a petroleum-based substance, remains trapped beneath the collapsed section of the highway.

Authorities are currently working to determine if anyone was caught in the fire and subsequent collapse, which occurred at approximately 6:20 a.m. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported thus far.

Shapiro acknowledged that the restoration of the highway will likely necessitate a significant amount of time, estimating “some number of months.”

He also stated that his office is exploring alternative routes and solutions beyond the current detours, and they are collaborating with federal partners to address the situation.

According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, the damaged portion of the highway is likely the busiest interstate in the state, with a daily average of approximately 160,000 vehicles passing through.

Written by staff