A section of Interstate 95 in Norwalk, Connecticut is expected to remain closed this weekend as workers demolish a bridge that was damaged when a tanker carrying gasoline crashed and caught fire Thursday morning, May 2.
Truckers are urged to avoid the area of I-95 and use Interstate 84 or Interstate 87 instead.
Officials are also warning truck drivers not to use the Merritt Parkway as an alternate route because trucks are not allowed on the roadway.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation reported traffic this morning was backed up 13 miles on the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield as commuters sought an alternative to I-95.
Demolition work on the heavily damaged overpass was set to begin at 3 a.m. today. The overpass will be removed and a section of I-95 damaged by the fire will have to repaved.
Gov. Ned Lamont Thursday declared a state of emergency in response to the collision involving the tanker, another tractor-trailer and a passenger vehicle on I-95 near Exit 15 in Norwalk. The collision and resulting fire occurred under the Fairfield Avenue overpass.
“The fire from this morning’s accident caused significant structural damage to an overpass on I-95 in Norwalk and it is not safe for traffic to use the road at this time,” Lamont said. “Structural engineers have determined that this overpass needs to be demolished and the road needs to be repaved. We are advising commuters to expect that this area of I-95 in Norwalk will remain closed at least through the weekend. This emergency declaration will help expedite some of the resources needed for us to respond to this situation. I strongly encourage everyone to avoid this area for at least the next few days while the highway remains closed and to stay alert for updates. We will continue to provide new information as it becomes available.”
None of the drivers involved in the collision was seriously injured. They included:
- a 22-year-old male from Stamford, who was driving a 2010 Camero
- a 42-year-old male from Harrison, New York, who was the driver of the tanker
- a 35-year-old male from Bridgeport, the diver of the second tractor-trailer
