Emergency Disaster resolution adopted by PA Senate
Rep. Pat Gallagher October 24, 2023 | 3:48 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 24 – A PA House resolution (H.R. 197) introduced by state Rep. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., to extend the state’s disaster emergency declaration in Philadelphia was adopted by the Pennsylvania Senate on Monday.
The disaster, which was declared on June 12, 2023, in response to the collapse of the northbound bridge and severe compromise of the southbound bridge on Interstate 95 in the Philadelphia was set to expire on Nov. 1. The resolution extends the declaration until late February of 2024.
The bridge that collapsed is in Pennsylvania’s 173 Legislative District, which Gallagher represents.
“While much progress has been made in such a quick time on the I-95 bridge collapse, there still remains work to be done,” Gallagher said. “I’m glad to see the General Assembly work in unison to address this disaster that affects not only Philadelphia, but the entire state of Pennsylvania and the northeast corridor of the United States.”
PA House Transportation Committee Chair Ed Neilson, D-Phila., who represents part of northeast Philadelphia near where the bridge collapsed, was also very closely involved in advancing the resolution.
"I-95 is a vital artery for Philadelphia and the northeast region of the country," Neilson said. "We were able to reopen the road in record time because city, state and federal agencies worked together and innovative procurement methods like design-build, best-value were utilized,” Neilson said. “As majority chairman of the House Transportation Committee, I am proud to have worked in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to extend the disaster declaration and allow repair progress to continue without red tape.”
This resolution is a joint resolution, meaning it does not need the governor’s signature, just the formality of being signed in the House and Senate after adoption.