A crack in a concrete support pillar of the Interstate 95 in Philadelphia forced authorities to close the major highway for at least two days so emergency repairs can be made, The Associated Press wrote on its Web site.

To repair the 2 inches wide and 4 feet long crack authorities have shut down I-95’s northbound and southbound lanes north of Philadelphia for two days minimum, according to Gene Blaum, spokesman for the Department of Transportation in Pennsylvania.

"Obviously, we feel it could compromise the strength of that section of the highway," said Blaum on Monday. He called the repairing of the crack "a major undertaking" and it’s certainly so considering the fact that the major motorway carries about 190,000 vehicles each day.

Traffic was jammed on Tuesday morning as police sent drivers on detours around the closed area. This happened only during the morning commute. The interstate was completely closed after midnight and official anticipate the repairing process will take at least two days, said Mayor Michael Nutter.

"Fortunately it was found, we're on top of it, and we're taking care of the situation," he said.

Authorities first found out about the I-95 crack last fall when an inspector noticed it. Fortunately, the same inspector was again in the area on Monday and decided to take another a look. He immediately noticed that the crack in the concrete support pillar became wider.

"This crack has grown considerably since October. It was very fortuitous that he took that look today," Blaum said, adding that the other support pillars of the Interstate 95 are in good condition.

Other sections of the main highway on the East Coast of the United States were already scheduled to be shut down for repairs later this year, Blaum added.