Fiery Crash Closes I-95 In Conn

[maddezmom]

CBS/AP) A fiery tanker truck crash that melted a bridge and closed a mile-long stretch of the major interstate highway between New York and Boston, and officials say it will likely remain closed for weeks.

The truck carrying 12,000 gallons of fuel oil collided with a car Thursday night on Interstate 95 in Bridgeport, Conn., sparking a huge fire that severely damaged both sides of the overpass where the accident happened. The truck driver and a firefighter were slightly injured.

"From the standpoint of personal injuries, we got off lucky. The bad news is this may take a good 10 to 14 days to fix," said Gov. John G. Rowland.

Witnesses said they heard explosions and saw a gigantic fireball shoot into the sky. Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions on the stretch of highway that handles nearly 120,000 vehicles a day.

~snip~
more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/26/national/main608802.shtml

[Renew Deal]

1. That's a traffic disaster.

Exits 20-40 or 45 on that section are slow as it is. The 40 area is where you turn north for Hartford, Western Mass and VT. I may come up for the DU party in Boston and I would definitely find another way up.

[DS1]

2. Damn right it is, there's a huge amount of rush hour traffic

on that stretch. The time of day can mean the difference between 5 and 45 minutes.

[wakfs]

3. CT Resident Traffic Update

I live in the area of southern CT and I can tell you that this accident is having a ripple effect on the traffic in the entire state.

The overpass that was damaged was at Exit 25 in Bridgeport. The fire from the tanker melted the supports of the overpass. Two to three weeks to fix, I95 closed in both directions in the interim. Keep in mind that the state has been working on the bridges in this area for YEARS.

Trucks are now being rerouted on alternate routes (I84 and Rte. 8) because the only other alternate route travelling parallel to I95 is the Merrit Parkway, which bans all commercial vehicles and trucks.
I commute on Rte 8, which basically connects southern CT with middle CT (North-South route) and this morning because of the increased truck traffic, there was a jackknifed tractor trailer which closed THAT road!

Supposedly, some passenger car tried to enter the highway and sideswiped the tanker.

[Shadder]

4. Was just up in that area

We had to go up to Ansonia for a few days for my Father-in-law's funeral. The truck traffic on 84 was bad enough on the streach between Route 34 and the NY state line as it was when we left Wednesday morning. Glad we left when we did now.

[Emboldened Chimp]

7. Try the Merritt Pkwy (15) all the way up

until you hit 91. Then take 84 to Boston. You'll hit traffic on 15 for sure, but you'll get to where you're going.

[Just Me]

5. Hmmm,...sure seems like alot of fuel-related explosions lately.

Makes me curious. What did the investigation of that huge one off the east coast reveal?

[TahitiNut]

6. Accident or Terrorism?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x446395

[jburton]

8. My goodness

It's been 4 years since I've been up there. Drove frequently from New Haven to Greenwich. It was under permanent construction, so I preferred the Merrit (sp).

But the Merrit was limited to passenger car traffic -- what will the big rigs and delivery trucks do now?

[CANDO]

9. I drive for a freight company, and...

we will be going to and from New England via I 684 and I 84. The Rt 8 option doesn't seem to be feasable because it is off exit 27A, which is north of this road closure. I feel sorry for those people who must travel through that area. Now it remains to be seen if the state of CT will have the wisdom to discontinue any construction projects on I84 so as to lessen the impact of the diverted traffic. That is doubtfull, though.

[wakfs]

10. Don't count on it

The CT DOT is awful.

[PaDUer]

11. MSNBC saying...

I95 could be closed for 2wks or more..