Work crews have commenced the demolition of a bridge damaged in a fiery crash that caused the closure of Interstate 95 in Connecticut for a second consecutive day. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, involving a three-vehicle wreck that led to a gasoline tanker bursting into flames, engulfing the Fairfield Avenue overpass above I-95 in Norwalk and causing structural damage.
Governor Ned Lamont has indicated that plans to reopen all six lanes before rush hour on Monday morning are progressing as scheduled. The closure of this crucial section of I-95, which sees approximately 160,000 vehicles daily in both directions, has resulted in significant traffic disruptions and delays for motorists.
Detours on local roads have added up to an hour or more to travel times for some drivers, prompting others to seek alternate routes far from the affected area. The trucking industry has been collaborating with state authorities to inform truckers across the Northeast about safe alternate routes, including the use of I-84 to avoid the closure on I-95.
Efforts to remove the damaged bridge began on Friday morning, with workers utilizing excavators equipped with jackhammers on each side of the highway. Special heavy equipment known as sheers will be employed to cut down the metal support components of the bridge starting Saturday morning. The subsequent repair work on the damaged highway will involve milling and repaving.
The crash, which occurred on the southbound side of the highway, involved a car merging from the right lane colliding with the gas truck, which was carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel. The truck then struck a tractor-trailer in another lane before catching fire. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported, and no charges have been filed in connection with the incident.
The removal of the bridge and the subsequent road repairs are estimated to cost around $20 million. State officials have declared a state of emergency to expedite funding for the restoration efforts. The swift reopening of I-95 is deemed critical to ensuring the flow of vehicular and truck traffic through New England.
The incident has drawn parallels to previous accidents, including a deadly crash on I-95 in Connecticut last year and a similar incident in Philadelphia. The state's congressional delegation has requested emergency funds from the Federal Highway Administration to cover the expenses incurred due to the crash and subsequent road closures.
