A tanker truck carrying gasoline caught fire in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in southwest Connecticut, resulting in the closure of the major traffic artery connecting New England with New York. The incident occurred at 5:30 a.m. in Norwalk, causing significant damage to a bridge over I-95.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that the bridge will need to be demolished due to the heat from the burning fuel compromising its structure. The demolition is set to begin early Friday morning, with hopes of reopening the interstate by Monday morning.
The crash, which involved a tanker carrying approximately 8,500 gallons of gasoline, led to the closure of the entire bridge as a safety precaution. The damage was severe, causing the steel beams to overheat and warp.
Due to the closure of the bridge, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling announced the closure of schools on Friday, with uncertainty about reopening on Monday. Employers were encouraged to allow employees to work from home or utilize alternative transportation options such as the MetroNorth commuter rail.
The demolition of the bridge is expected to take at least 24 hours, with potential repaving required before reopening the roadway. The replacement of the bridge, a critical route for the city of Norwalk, is estimated to take about a year.
The crash led to significant traffic disruptions, with detours causing gridlock on other highways and secondary roads in the area. The Merritt Parkway, a major alternate route, is not accessible to trucks due to low underpasses.
Efforts are underway to clean up the environmental impact of the accident, with containment of gasoline runoff and replacement of downed wires. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with no charges filed at this time.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the potential risks associated with transporting hazardous materials on major highways.
