Norwalk I-95 bridge takes shape as crews hit project milestones

"

Four months after a fiery crash on I-95 badly damaged the Fairfield Avenue overpass in Norwalk, the replacement bridge is taking shape. Demolition left an empty space over the region's major traffic artery, but that gap is now gone after the project recently hit a couple milestones. “Obviously, a really noticeable one for commuters was the steel beams that were put in place. That's what's going to hold the new Fairfield Avenue bridge,” said Josh Morgan, director of communications for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. “The crews out there are doing just an absolutely fantastic job.” Morgan told News 12 another milestone was reopening the I-95 south, Route 7 merge lane. In July, it was reconfigured with Jersey barriers so crews could work safely. The change led to massive traffic backups and was supposed to remain in place until early September. “We really put the pressure on the contractor and said, ‘We got a busy travel weekend coming up here. If we can get this completed before Labor Day, that's something to celebrate.’ And they got it done that Friday, Aug. 29,” Morgan explained. Crews are currently working with utility companies to install their equipment along the bridge, according to Morgan. “That is going to be completed hopefully in the next few weeks. Then we can get back in there and start getting the rebar put in place, the forms put in place, and hopefully by the end of October be able to start pouring the bridge deck, which will be a really significant milestone for us,” said Morgan, adding that the CTDOT anticipates opening the bridge to traffic in the spring. “Obviously still a lot of work ahead of us but things are progressing really, really well.” The old bridge had to come down after a three-vehicle crash on May 2 caused an oil tanker to catch fire underneath the bridge, rendering it structurally unsafe. Traffic through the area was significantly impacted for a few days since that section of I-95 was shut down in both directions until after the demolition and road repairs. Engineers completed the design for the replacement bridge on June 1, according to CTDOT. The estimated cost for the bridge replacement is about $15 million, but coupled with the demolition and repair work in May, the entire project will likely cost $20 million. The governor signed an emergency declaration on May 2 to seek federal emergency relief funds. The federal government is expected to cover up to 80% of the costs, according to CTDOT. Three million dollars was released to the state for its initial response. "