Murphy, Connecticut Congressional Delegation Urge Expedited Federal Assistance For I-95 Bridge Damage Response

HARTFORD-U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), Jim Himes (D-Conn-04), and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn-05) on Friday wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) supporting the Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) request for assistance following yesterday's events in which a tanker fire damaged Interstate-95 (I-95) and the Fairfield Avenue bridge in Norwalk. The damage will result in the closure of the major northeast transportation corridor for at least several days.

The delegation wrote in support of using DOT's Emergency Relief Program to assist CTDOT with the costs for repair and recovery from the fire, including the quick release of $3 million to assist CTDOT in the initial response.

"Swift reopening of I-95 is extremely critical to flow the vehicular and truck traffic through New England. The best alternative for passenger vehicles is the already often-congested Merritt Parkway, which reported having 13-mile-long delays this morning," the lawmakers wrote. "In addition, replacement of the Fairfield Avenue bridge over I-95 is vital for local transportation. We appreciate DOT's rapid response to this catastrophic event and want to underscore the importance of federal funding in expediting the repairs in Norwalk."

In his questions to DOT Secretary Buttigieg during Thursday's U.S. Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing, Murphy called attention to the closure and urged the Secretary to swiftly and safely resolve the issue.

Full text of the letter is available below.

Dear Secretary Buttigieg,

Yesterday, a tanker fire damaged Interstate-95 (I-95) and the Fairfield Avenue bridge in Norwalk, resulting in the closure of this major northeast transportation corridor for at least several days. We are grateful for your immediate response to this catastrophe, with your staff already working closely with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to determine how best to assist the state of Connecticut. One of the main sources of financial assistance for situations like this is the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Emergency Relief Program. We write in support of using the Emergency Relief Program to assist CTDOT with the costs for repair and recovery from this fire, including the quick release of $3 million to assist CTDOT in the initial response.

Consistent with the requirements for assistance under the Emergency Relief Program, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency last night in response to the motor vehicle collision that caused this tanker fire. After the collision, a fire engulfed the tanker, causing significant structural damage to the overpass, which must be demolished, as well as additional damage to I-95 and rerouting of motor vehicle traffic.

Swift reopening of I-95 is extremely critical to flow the vehicular and truck traffic through New England. The best alternative for passenger vehicles is the already often-congested Merritt Parkway, which reported having 13-mile-long delays this morning. However, that roadway is restricted to only passenger vehicles because of its low bridges, forcing trucks and other commercial vehicles to seek much longer alternate routes, including through New York and Massachusetts. In addition, replacement of the Fairfield Avenue bridge over I-95 is vital for local transportation.

We appreciate DOT's rapid response to this catastrophic event and want to underscore the importance of federal funding in expediting the repairs in Norwalk.

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