I-95 in Connecticut closed, video shows bridge engulfed in flames following crash: Watch

Authorities in Connecticut have begun demolition work on an Interstate 95 overpass that was damaged in a fiery crash involving multiple vehicles in the early morning hours of Thursday.

"Work to remove the damaged structure began at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 3, and crews will continue working on this around the clock through the weekend," Governor Ned Lamont's office said in a statement Friday afternoon. "Once the bridge is removed, sections of I-95 will be milled and paved in both directions in the area."

The highway remains closed in both directions to all traffic, said the governor's office, and travelers have been strongly advised to avoid the area or use the I-84 as an alternate.

Commuters were also advised to use the MetroNorth Railroad, which will have additional rail services over the weekend, if they need to travel. Authorities have also requested drivers to be patient, follow all posted signage and visit CTroads.org for the latest updates before making any travel plans.

The governor's office hopes that the busy highway is reopened by the morning rush hour commute on Monday.

"Heroic local and state first responders got the crash cleared and the fire under control yesterday, and now the amazing team with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, as well as our contractor teams, are going to be working all weekend under immense pressure to get the highway reopened," the governor said in a statement.

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Why is Interstate 95 in Connecticut closed?

Around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, a multi-vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer, a fuel truck and another vehicle took place on I-95 in southwest Connecticut. The accident caused the gas tanker to erupt into flames and damage an overpass above the interstate.

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said no serious injuries or fatalities were reported from the crash.

Video footage from the incident shows the tanker engulfed in flames underneath a bridge surrounded by black clouds of smoke as firefighters attempt to douse the fire.

The governor declared state of emergency to help "expedite some of the resources needed for us to respond to this situation". Under this, the governor office and CDOT have requested the Federal Highway Administration Friday for "an expedited release of $3 million to assist with the initial response."

"The bridge was damaged. The heat from the burning fuel compromised some of the bridge, so that bridge is going to have to come down," Lamont had said during a news conference Thursday evening.

Interstate 95 is now heavily damaged, creating traffic headache for travelers

Although the overpass was less than 10 years old, according to Connecticut DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, it sustained "pretty severe" damage due to the amount of gasoline that was in the tanker truck when it burst into flames. Gas from the tanker caused the steel within the bridge to overheat and warp, Eucalitto added.

Eucalitto said that crews with CDOT and contractor staff will be working 24/7 over the weekend to "get I-95 reopened by Monday morning."

William Turner, state emergency management director, in a news conference Thursday had said that about 6,500 gallons of fuel was burned in the fire, and that state environmental agencies are investigating the foam and gas runoff that flowed into the nearby Norwalk River and to empty the remaining 2,000 gallons of gas in the tanker.

Travelers in the area were stuck in traffic for hours as the northbound and southbound lanes near the exit remained closed as of Thursday night.

Interstate 95 is used by more than 100,000 drivers in the state per day as of September, according to Connecticut DOT's traffic data. The highway connects New York City to Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.