The I-95 reconstruction plan, step by step
Gov. Shapiro channeled his Philly sports fan energy yesterday as he outlined the procedure for rebuilding the collapsed highway, saying, “This is our championship and we are ready to go!” He didn’t give a timeline, but did say his administration is setting up a 24/7 livestream. What’ll it show? Here’s the step-by-step plan of what comes next for I-95.
SEPTA as alternative? Staffing makes it tough
As tens of thousands of commuters seek alternatives with I-95 temporarily out of commission, SEPTA aims to fill the service gap. But it’s already dealing with a staff shortage, Meir Rinde reports — so boosting Regional Rail in one place has forced a switch to bus service in another.
What if rapid transit was in place? That could have helped, says Northeast Philly Councilmember Mike Driscoll. After a century of false starts on the potential line, Asha Prihar reports, the collapse has spurred a City Council resolution to hold formal hearings on the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Pa. legislators might actually boost Pa.’s $7.25/hr. minimum wage this year. The Democratic-led House supports it, and there’s a Republican sponsored Senate bill lifting it to $15. [Spotlight PA]
• A fiery crash in 2015 under the Betsy Ross Bridge apparently also involved a driver working for TK Transport, the same Pennsauken-based company as connected to this week’s I-95 explosion. [Inquirer$]
• An ex-Starbucks regional manager won a $25 million judgment over her firing amid fallout after the 2018 arrests of two Black men at a Philadelphia cafe. The men had decided not to sue over the incident, and settled with the city for $1. [NBC News/BP 2018]
• The “Lady with a Guitar” painting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art could be an extremely rare, genuine Vermeer rather than a copy. [WHYY]
• Because we needed another thing: Pea-sized hail was falling in Philadelphia yesterday. [@billy_penn]
• SZA and Lizzo will headline the Made in America 2023 festival on the Ben Franklin Parkway this Labor Day weekend. [CBS3]
Speaking of festivals, ready for Welcome America? Stay tuned for our pop-up newsletter with everything you need to celebrate Fourth of July in Philly.
MAYOR WATCH
Over the past two years, Philly has funded 29 internal initiatives meant to reimagine city government and make it more efficient and equitable. Mayor Kenney joins a public showcase of these projects at the Parkway Central Library (11 a.m.).
Off to West Mt. Airy next, where Kenney attends a “move up” ceremony at PHLpreK provider Memorable Moments (11:55 a.m.), then over to Temple, where a city block will be renamed in honor of slain university police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald (2 p.m.).
ON THE CALENDAR
🍷 Find local Black-owned wineries, art exhibits, live performances, and craft vendors along the Delaware waterfront at the Juneteenth Wine & Art Festival hosted by the Women’s Coalition for Empowerment. Tickets are $15 to $21. (1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 18)
🎶 The Mann hosts “Black Metropolis: Improvisations on Paint Factory,” an evening of music celebrating Black culture and 50 years of hip hop, with performances by Chill Moody and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Free with RSVP. (8 p.m. Sunday, June 18)
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