I-95 Bridge Damaged in Tanker Truck Fire Fully Demolished, Repair Costs Exceed $20 Million

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
05/05/2024 20h14

Title: I-95 Bridge Damaged in Tanker Truck Fire Fully Demolished, Repair Costs Exceed $20 Million

In a significant development, the northbound lanes of I-95 in Norwalk, Connecticut have finally reopened after the demolition of a bridge damaged in a major tanker truck fire that occurred on Thursday. The reopening of the northbound lanes took place on Saturday at approximately 8 p.m, while the southbound lanes at exit 15 remain closed.

According to officials, the southbound lanes suffered extensive damage in the accident and will remain closed for the entirety of Sunday. The closure is necessary to allow crews to mill and repave the damaged lanes. The goal is to have the entire highway fully reopened in both directions by Monday morning.

The demolition of the Fairfield Avenue overpass, which was severely damaged in the fiery crash, began at 3 a.m. on Friday and concluded on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Crews then commenced the cleanup process and commenced repairs on the highway. The repair costs for the damaged infrastructure are estimated to exceed $20 million.

Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported in the incident, which saw a fuel tanker crash and burst into flames beneath the overpass, just past Exit 15 south of I-95. Due to the severity of the damage sustained by the overpass, it was deemed necessary to demolish it entirely. As a result, Fairfield Avenue will remain closed for at least a year until the overpass can be replaced.

Travelers are advised to seek alternate routes and use I-84 as a substitute for I-95. Traffic alerts and updates can be found on CTroads.org. Additionally, a live video stream of the ongoing cleanup and repair progress is available online, providing valuable information for motorists.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) officials, along with the governor, are working diligently to ensure the swift completion of repairs and the safe reopening of the affected sections of I-95. Their efforts are focused on minimizing disruptions and ensuring the safety of commuters.

As the repairs continue, it is crucial for drivers to remain vigilant, follow signage and detours, and exercise caution while traveling in the affected areas.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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