PHOTO BY AP/WIDEWORLD

Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation officials on March 17 closed a two-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia and gave contractor J.D. Eckman Inc., Atglen, Pa., the go ahead to repair severe damage to a 15-ft-tall reinforced concrete column supporting a section of the road. A 2-in.-wide, 6-ft-long crack was found in the column by an inspector. On March 18, workers began repairs by erecting four steel towers to surround and support the pillar. The affected stretch of I-95 is used by 180,000 vehicles daily and will likely be closed at least two days, PennDOT highway safety press officer Jenny Robinson says. Crews are working around the clock to complete repairs.