Workers in Norwalk were working over the weekend to complete the demolition of a Connecticut bridge that was severely damaged by a fire caused by a gas-filled tanker truck crashing on Interstate 95 and bursting into flames. Both sides of the highway between Exits 14 and 16 were closed to traffic as crews worked to remove the melted Fairfield Avenue span. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont stated that the stretch of highway would likely remain closed until at least Monday as a result of the damage caused by the fire.
The state set up a live webcam to show the ongoing demolition work in real time. By late Saturday, the entire span had been removed, and crews were working to clear the remaining debris from the roadway. On the left side of the view, a line of traffic could be seen on the highway’s service road. Workers initially arrived at the unstable overpass at around 3 a.m. on Friday, a day after the fiery crash that led to the closure of the highway and caused significant traffic disruptions in the area.
The closure of Interstate 95 resulted in a 13-mile backup on the southbound side of the dual-laned Merritt Parkway as drivers looked for alternate routes around the crash site. Serious delays were also reported northbound and on surrounding roads, with backups affecting local streets in Norwalk, Westport, Darien, and Stamford. The crash occurred when the tanker collided with another commercial vehicle and a passenger car, according to Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling, who expressed gratitude that there were no serious injuries and commended state and local workers for their rapid response in containing the fire.
Reports suggested that a Chevrolet Camaro merging onto I-95 south from Route 7 collided with the front of the fuel truck in the right lane, causing the tanker to swerve into the center lane and hit a tractor-trailer. The fuel truck was carrying 8,500 gallons of gas at the time of the crash, resulting in a massive fireball. As a result of the incident, schools in Norwalk were closed on Friday, and Lamont urged drivers to avoid the area over the weekend to facilitate the work of the crews. In the aftermath of the crash, traffic disruptions in the area were significant, impacting both local and through traffic on the major roadways.
The swift response of emergency workers and the coordination of efforts to contain the fire and address the damage caused by the crash were highlighted by local officials and media reports. The closure of a major stretch of Interstate 95 highlighted the vulnerabilities and potential consequences of such incidents on critical infrastructure. The structural damage caused by the intense fire and subsequent demolition work required significant resources and time to address. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and response in dealing with unexpected events and disasters on major transportation routes.
As the demolition work continued over the weekend and the cleanup efforts progressed, the focus remained on reopening the highway and restoring normal traffic flow as soon as possible. State and local authorities worked diligently to address the aftermath of the crash and ensure the safety of motorists in the area. The incident served as a reminder of the fragility of critical infrastructure and the need for ongoing maintenance and vigilance to prevent and respond to emergencies effectively. In the face of adversity, the community came together to mitigate the impact of the crash and work towards restoring normalcy in the area.
