Interstate-95 (I-95) in Norwalk, Connecticut, has been closed indefinitely in both directions following a crash involving a fuel tanker that caught fire beneath an overpass. The incident occurred early in the morning when a car suddenly changed lanes in front of a truck pulling a flatbed trailer. At the same time, a fuel tanker was approaching the Fairfield Avenue overpass bridge, just after Exit 15 South. The chain-reaction collision involved three vehicles and resulted in a fire.
The fire caused damage to the bridge over the highway, forcing the authorities to close it. According to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, the heat from the burning fuel compromised the bridge’s structure. The demolition of the damaged section is expected to begin “first thing tomorrow morning.” The closure of this major transportation route linking New England and New York has led to significant traffic disruptions and business slowdowns. The closed section of I-95 typically served 160,000 vehicles per day.
Governor Lamont has declared a state of emergency, as drivers now face challenges navigating detours. The closure is also expected to impact local merchants and supply chains. Despite the bridge being less than a decade old, the severity of the fire directly beneath it led to significant damage. The intense heat caused the bridge’s seal to warp, rendering it unsafe for traffic in either direction. The heat from the flames also affected the structure and utility lines of the bridge, including gas, phone, and cable, passing beneath it.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has urged drivers to avoid the vicinity for safety reasons. Alerts are being sent to anyone in the affected area, urging them to avoid the vicinity for safety reasons.
