I-95 In CT Closed -- Major Accident

[PamOKW]

A tanker truck explosion on an elevated part of I-95 in Bridgeport, CT has closed I-95 between Exits 25-27. There is structural damage from the intense heat. They are unsure if it will re-open in days or weeks. Keep this in mind if you are planning to travel through the area. I-84 or Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) would be alternatives. The Merritt is for passenger cars only -- no commercial traffic.

 

[TimeforMe]

I can hear the helicopters overhead as I write this. We are only one exit up from where it occurred and many of the tractor trucks are being re-routed to Route One which I can see from my window. Thankfully DH has only a local commute and I use the Merritt (although I have tomorrow off from work) which I'm sure will be very congested now with the traffic from I-95. This is really, really bad for us as we live so close to 95 and use it virtually to get everywhere (kids' schools, shopping, etc.) not to mention how much more crowded our local streets will be.

Thankfully, however, no one was hurt.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thanks for the info. DH is driving to Rhode Island this weekend for a wedding and I know that this will be good information for him.

When I read tanker truck explosion I was thinking fatalities, so thanks for letting us know no one was hurt.

 

[edcrbnsoul]

I was headed to NY city this weekend thanks for the info!

 

[Dan Murphy]

http://www.nbc30.com/news/2951237/detail.html

 

[PamOKW]

TimeForMe, it must be a bit scary being so close to this. It's a miracle no one was killed. Hopefullly, in the light of day, they'll be able to judge the damage and maybe it won't be "worst case".

This reminds me of the I-95 bridge collapse in Greenwich years ago. Of course, that took much longer to repair and several people were killed. The Women's College Basketball semi-final playoffs were taking place in Bridgeport for the first time ever this week. The teams are staying in Stamford. I'm not sure if the tournament is over or not. If not, I don't think they'll be very happy about this turn of events.

 

[spb999]

The basketball event in Bridgeport ended on Tuesday night

 

[CPM]

Originally posted by PamOKW


This reminds me of the I-95 bridge collapse in Greenwich years ago. Of course, that took much longer to repair and several people were killed.

I remember that! I lived in CT back then. I always remember a story in the paper where some man tried to warn some kids in a car, that the bridge had collapsed, but the kids mooned him and went on their way. They ended up dying of course, very sad.

 

[dbogen]

The Govenor is talking as I type. It looks like the bridge buckled 5-10 feet and its just not safe. Millions of dollars to repair and weeks ( I really hope not that long) before I-95 is reopened. They are talking about closing the street under the bridge and filling it in to the height of the bridge and just making it a road instead of a bridge. I just hope no 18 wheeler tries to get on rt15 or we will have even more of a headache. They won't make it under the overpasses.

Like TimeforMe said that god noone was killed.

Deanna

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by dbogen
I just hope no 18 wheeler tries to get on rt15 or we will have even more of a headache. They won't make it under the overpasses.

I had the same thought. It's almost inevitable that one of them will accidentally or intentionally give it a try. Hopefully, not at rush hour.

As of this morning it sounds like "at least two weeks" and my guess is it may be longer than that. Hopefully, they'll get some sort of solution before people start heading to the Cape for the summer.

 

[Kimberle]

I live abt 15 miles from this. Thankfully, I go south, not north. This is going to have a big effect on many of my employees, though, who live just to the north of this accident.

If you are planing on passing through the area, please make sure of your directions. That area of Bridgeport is not an area I'd want to be lost in.

I breezed in, my drive home is going to be h e double hockey sticks, plus, I have to pick up my dd from school........

 

[Kimberle]

Originally posted by dbogen
I just hope no 18 wheeler tries to get on rt15 or we will have even more of a headache. They won't make it under the overpasses.

*LOL* (very sad LOL) oh, Deanna, you can just bet that a couple will find their way on the parkway! I've seen several there. Then they have to close the road & back the truck off.....

Plus, I've seen u-hal type truck top ripped open like a sardine can cause the renters didn't realize they couldn't fit....

 

[TimeforMe]

Yes, dbhogen--that's what they plan to do is fill in the street below rather than replace the girders. I'm just repeating what DH told me. Well, I'm off from work today and the plan was to head out to the Christmas Tree Shop in Orange. I'll have to take the Merritt now. I'll let you know how the traffic was and if there are any 4-wheelers out there. Sheesh, I hope not!

Pam--I remember that too--was that the Mianus River Bridge (or am I confused?) Also, we went to the UCONN games on Sunday and Tuesday at Harbor Yard--I never thought of that. Thank God they're over.

All of you CT people--where are you from? I'm in Fairfield.

 

[spb999]

I live in Naugatuck now, but grew up in Stratford and I used to work in downtown Bridgeport so I'm pretty familiar w/ the area this is affecting ...


Timeforme.... I think Pam is referring to the Mianus River bridge collapse ... think that was in 1983 .... and like a previous poster said I remember the story of the kids that ignored the warning that the bridge was out ... I believe the car they were driving was stolen .....

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by dbogen
I just hope no 18 wheeler tries to get on rt15 or we will have even more of a headache. They won't make it under the overpasses.

From what I heard - they had cops sitting at the on ramps to the Merrit and were turning away trucks. (at least this morning they were - dunno how long they'll keep cops there.)

This is kinda mean...but funny...on the country station this morning (country 92.5) the morning host dedicated the following song to I-95.

"I Melt" by Rascal Flatts.

heheheh