Connecticut has reopened the northbound lanes of I-95 in Bridgeport after an accident and fire melted a portion of a new overpass, the state’s Department of Transportation said in a statement.
The New York Times, quoting state officials, reported that by Wednesday or Thursday, temporary southbound lanes would be up and running.
The reopening came three days after the crash, in which a car hit a jackknifed fuel oil tanker, leading to an explosion and the intense fire.
It wasn’t the only good news for those fighting to fix the shutdown highway. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta has said in a statement that the federal government would help the state repair the highway.
“I’ve spoken today with the governor and members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation about this catastrophic accident,” Mineta said. “The president and I share their concerns and have pledged our complete support.
”I have directed Federal Highway Administrator Mary Peters to authorize the use of federal emergency relief funds,” he added. “I have also asked U.S. Department of Transportation personnel to work closely with state and local officials to develop solutions to successfully move freight, commuters and travelers along this stretch of the I-95 corridor while needed repairs are made.”
The accidenttook place at 7:45 p.m. March 25 between exits 25 and 26 near Route 8, The roughly 9,000 gallons of home heating fuel involved created a fire so intense that it melted a portion of the bridge. USA Today reported that a car apparently forced the tanker truck into a concrete barrier on the southbound side of the interstate.
State officials estimated at the time it would be 10 days before the highway is open, but some placed the estimates longer. Now, it appears the repairs – at least temporary ones to reopen the highway – will be completed sooner.
The route is a major East Coast corridor; the section that contained the accident site links the heavily populated New York City and Boston metropolitan areas. The accident was particularly badly timed for truckers, as many who travel through the region do so at night to avoid heavy traffic. At one point, The Greenwich Time said the breakdown lane of an adjoining highway looked like “a small truckstop.”
State officials urged tractor-trailers to avoid I-95 and the Bridgeport area until the highway is fixed, The Associated Press reported. DOT officials told Land Line that because of other situations that had developed, they were recommending that trucks avoid the western portion of Connecticut altogether.
Drivers seeking information on detour routers can call toll-free to 1-877-284-9995; the current information is also on the DOT’s Web site at http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?Q=272652&A=11.
