The sky flared up red with smoke and flames soon after a tractor-trailer, a fuel tanker and a passenger vehicle collided with each other on Norwalk highway along the Connecticut route near the underpass causing a massive fire, rendering the route inaccessible from both the directions and damaging the bridge.
A state of emergency was declared by Governor Ned Lamont as the Fairfield Avenue bridge suffered significant structural damage at the interstate.
“Structural engineers have determined that this overpass needs to be demolished and the road needs to be repaved. We are advising commuters to expect that this area of I-95 in Norwalk will remain closed at least through the weekend,” said Lamont
The 3,096 km I-95 Norwal is the primary north-south Interstate Highway connecting metropolitan areas Miami, Jacksonville, Savannah, and Richmond in the Southeast; Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington–Philadelphia, Newark, and New York City in the Mid-Atlantic; and New Haven, Providence, Boston, and Portland in New England.
While the crash induced a massive fire, no serious injuries were reported. However, the traffic and mobility of the daily commuters and truck drivers saw a grave impact.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), a commuter, Joseph Williams jr., shared his experience of travelling on the interstate highway from the day of the crash.
Major Fire and closure on I-95 - Norwalk, Ct pic.twitter.com/iyqE2vyK1J
— Joseph Williams jr. (@joew521) May 2, 2024
The Norwalk Police Department released a traffic advisory, which gives the commuters a clear picture of the closures around the interstate highway.
“We are still experiencing heavy delays and we ask motorists to seek alternate routes. Officers are stationed at various intersections throughout the city to help alleviate congestion.” stated the advisory.
I-95 Norwalk: Road Closures
- Fairfield Avenue is closed from Cedar Street to Connecticut Avenue.
- Cedar Street is closed eastbound from Connecticut Avenue to Fairfield Avenue and is closed in both directions from Fairfield Avenue to Reed Street.
- Stuart Avenue is closed southbound from Connecticut Avenue to Reed Street
Connecticut Emergency Management and Homeland Security shared the routes which can be followed during the road closures.
TRAFFIC DIVERSION ROUTES: All traffic should avoid I-95 in Norwalk due to the ongoing closure in both directions and follow the established detours seen below. pic.twitter.com/JL7tu1SjIM
— CT Emergency Management & Homeland Security (@CTDEMHS) May 3, 2024
The highway will remain closed up until May 6. The bridge repair started at 03.00 am Friday, and should take 24 hours to be completed, according to Lamont. Between exits 14 and 15, I-95 North is closed and between exits 16 and 15 I-95, South is closed.
