Sponsor Spotlight: Benesch

September 2023

A Benesch Staff Success Story: I-95 Emergency Response

On June 11, when the nation was gripped by the fiery truck crash that caused a section of I-95 in Philadelphia to partially collapse, the Benesch team sprang into action. Leading the charge was Benesch Project Manager, Sandi Yeakley, PE, who had a unique connection to the project. A legacy employee, Sandi served as project manager of the CPR contract a decade ago overseeing the original bridge design, making her intimately familiar with its intricacies. Her prior leadership on the I-95 CPR project positioned her as an invaluable expert in this emergency.

I-95_Opening_Day_Looking N — I-95 Bridge Collapse, Philadelphia, PA

Sandi's team played a pivotal role in developing traffic control plans to ensure safe navigation through the construction zone once the temporary roadway reopened. This task was no small feat, as the plans had to expand dramatically, growing from 8 pages to a staggering 112 in just a matter of days, to PennDOT's requirements. To meet the accelerated timeline, Sandi efficiently coordinated simultaneous tasks and closely monitored progress.

Thanks to Benesch's commitment to rising to challenges, we worked in close collaboration with PennDOT and the contractor, Buckley & Company, finding innovative solutions. Remarkably, a mere 12 days after the collapse, on June 23, the roadway reopened to traffic. However, Benesch's role in this project is not over yet!

The permanent replacement bridge is currently undergoing construction as a design-build project, advancing in two stages. As the outer structure of the new bridge takes shape, with traffic smoothly flowing over the temporary roadway, it's Sandi Yeakley, PE, and the entire Benesch team who continue to play a pivotal role. In the next phase, traffic will seamlessly transition to the exterior of the new bridge, facilitating the construction of the interior portion and reopening of the off-ramp below. This ongoing effort not only showcases Benesch's unwavering commitment but also highlights Sandi's exceptional leadership as a trusted partner in critical infrastructure projects.