All lanes of I-95 in Norwalk reopened in time for commuters just days after truck fire
NORWALK, Connecticut (WABC) -- All lanes of Interstate 95 in Norwalk reopened in time for the Monday morning commute and ahead of schedule after a fiery crash last week.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that I-95 was fully reopened by Sunday morning, less than 80 hours after the initial crash.
"It is truly remarkable to complete this work in less than 80 hours," Lamont said, while acknowledging there is still a lot of work to do.
The next steps now are to rebuild the overpass that had to be completely demolished after the major tanker fire and the state is looking to the federal government to help fund the rebuilding.
The Department of Transportation said they want to get design plans underway in the next few weeks and rebuild the overpass within the next year.
Drivers in Norwalk had been coping with the partial closure of the I-95 on Friday after a gasoline tanker fire damaged the Fairfield Avenue Bridge. But by Monday morning, traffic was moving normally along I-95.
The overpass had to be demolished and live cameras at the site, show the area cleared, repaved and restriped.
For three hours, flames raged out of control after a gasoline tanker, filled to the brim with 9,000 gallons of fuel, caught fire on Thursday.
Officials say a car cut off a tractor-trailer. The gasoline truck then swerved to avoid them, but the back of the tanker ripped apart.
I-95 serves as a major artery linking New England and New York.
Construction is expected to cost some $20 million.
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