I-95 in both directions at exit 15 in Norwalk will remain closed at least through the weekend, as crews will remove the Fairfield Avenue overpass that was damaged beyond repair earlier today.

A collision at around 5:30 this morning, involving a tractor trailer, a passenger vehicle, and a fuel truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline caused an intense fire that twisted the bridge’s steel beams. There were no serious injuries.

In a press briefing this evening, Governor Ned Lamont was joined by the heads of Connecticut’s transportation, environmental, police, and emergency management agencies and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling.

The governor said if all goes according to plan, and the weather cooperates, the highway will reopen in both directions in time for Monday’s commute. Heavy equipment capable of lifting and removing the bridge is on the way to Connecticut this evening.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto (photo, left) said the roadway beneath the bridge will be repaired and repaved once the bridge is removed. At that point, he said, inspections of the bridge abutments and its concrete center pier will determine the path forward to replacing the structure. He said a temporary bridge with a long span over an interstate is not feasible.

Mr. Eucalitto estimated that it would take about a year to replace the bridge, largely depending on the condition of the support elements and the availability of steel, which currently is in short supply.

The bridge was less than 10 years old.

Some 4,000 gallons of gasoline remained in the fuel truck tank and were recovered. The remaining 4,000 or so either ignited or were spilled. According to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, there was no impact on air quality or to the river or harbor, and spill recovery teams are still on the scene.

Mayor Rilling urged drivers to avoid the area, which will likely remain heavily congested through the weekend. He said no decisions have yet been made about canceling schools in Norwalk on Friday, but hopes the district’s superintendent does so. Mr. Rilling said Norwalk officials are reaching out to local employers to encourage working at home.

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