Work crews have begun the process of demolishing a bridge in Connecticut that was damaged in a fiery crash on Interstate 95, causing the highway to be closed for a second day. The closure has led to major traffic jams in the area, with motorists experiencing long delays and frustrations. Governor Ned Lamont stated that plans were in place to reopen all six lanes of the highway before rush hour on Monday, and efforts are being made to expedite the process.
The closure of this section of I-95, which sees around 160,000 daily vehicles, has forced motorists to take detours that have added up to an hour or more to their travel times. The trucking industry has been working with authorities to inform truckers of safe alternate routes, in order to prevent incidents like striking low bridges or taking down power lines on local roads. Efforts are being made to steer long-haul truckers away from the affected area and onto other routes to alleviate congestion and prevent further accidents.
Workers have begun demolishing the damaged bridge using heavy equipment, with the goal of reopening I-95 in both directions by Monday. The process involves the use of excavators and jackhammers to remove debris, as well as special shears to cut down the metal components of the bridge. The damaged parts of the highway will then be repaired through milling and repaving, in order to ensure the safety of motorists once the road reopens.
The crash that led to the closure of the highway occurred on Thursday morning, involving a car merging into the right lane and striking a gasoline tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel. The tanker then collided with a tractor trailer, resulting in a fire. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported, and no charges have been filed in connection with the incident. Motorists have been experiencing significant delays in their travel times, with reports of 90-minute commutes for just 16 miles.
The removal of the bridge and subsequent road repairs are estimated to cost around $20 million, with requests for emergency funds being made to the Federal Highway Administration. The reopening of I-95 is crucial for the flow of vehicular and truck traffic throughout New England, as alternate routes are causing significant delays and disruptions. The recent crash is a reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This crash on I-95 in Connecticut comes just over a year after a fatal wreck on the same highway in April 2023, involving a fuel truck that caught fire after colliding with a stopped car. The state’s congressional delegation has requested expedited funding to cover the expenses related to the bridge removal and road repairs, highlighting the urgency of reopening the highway for the region’s transportation needs. Efforts are underway to ensure the swift reopening of I-95 and minimize disruptions to traffic flow in the area.
