CTDOT To Receive $3M In Emergency Relief Funds For Norwalk Bridge Reconstruction: Lamont

NORWALK, CT — Governor Ned Lamont announced this week the Connecticut Department of Transportation will receive $3 million in emergency relief funds to reconstruct a Norwalk bridge damaged by a fiery crash Thursday.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Lamont said he received word of the approved ER funds Monday night from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and the Federal Highway Administration.

"We just got word that[Buttigieg] and [FHWA] are releasing $3M in emergency relief funds for [CTDOT] as an initial installment toward reconstructing Fairfield Avenue Bridge on I-95 in Norwalk," Lamont said on X. "This is great news and I appreciate their quick support and partnership."

The Fairfield Avenue overpass, which runs over Interstate 95, was destroyed over the weekend by fast-working DOT crews after the bridge was severely damaged by a crash involving a tanker truck carrying gasoline, a tractor trailer and a car early Thursday morning.

The aftermath resulted in a traffic nightmare due to I-95 being shut down in Norwalk for days. The highway finally reopened in both directions Sunday evening.

In a news release, FHWA officials said the "quick release" ER funds would be immediately available and used to offset the costs of reconstructing the now-demolished bridge.

"I-95 is a critical highway for both the people of Connecticut and our nation's transportation network, and the Biden-Harris Administration focused immediately on helping Governor Lamont quickly restore travel," Buttigieg said in a news release. "These emergency funds helped Connecticut DOT safely repair and reopen the road in less than 80 hours and can now help with costs associated with rebuilding the bridge."

Officials said the ER funding will be used immediately for eligible expenses as CTDOT conducts necessary emergency operations and repairs to maintain traffic throughout the crash site.

"The damage to I-95 in Norwalk disrupted the daily lives, travel, and business for local residents as well as the surrounding regions that rely on this vital route," Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said in a news release. "As one of the country's busiest highways, the Federal Highway Administration worked swiftly to provide funding to CTDOT to repair and reopen the Interstate."

In a statement sent to Patch, Mayor Harry Rilling said the city of Norwalk was "incredibly thankful" to Buttigieg and the Biden-Harris Administration for quickly approving $3 million in ER funds toward the reconstruction of the Fairfield Avenue bridge.

"The high level of collaboration between each level of government is a testament to Governor Lamont's leadership," Rilling said. "I remain completely impressed with the fact that CT Department of Transportation crews and contractors removed the compromised bridge and repaired the roadway to reopen I-95 in both directions in less than 80 hours from the fiery crash. I also want to thank our incredible Norwalk Fire Department and Norwalk Police Department, who were on the scene within minutes to put out that fire and safely manage traffic, ensuring no injuries."

In a post on X, CTDOT officials thanked Buttigieg, Bhatt "and the federal delegation for supporting us throughout the weekend and providing the quick release of emergency funds!"

See also:

• I-95 To Fully Reopen On Sunday In Norwalk: Here's What You Need To Know
• Heavy Traffic As Bridge Replacement Is Underway On I-95 In Norwalk
• Bridge Damaged By Fuel Truck Crash On I-95 To Be Replaced: Gov. Lamont

FHWA's emergency relief program "provides funding to states, territories, tribes and federal land management agencies for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events," according to the release.

The quick release ER funds are an initial installment of funds toward restoring an essential transportation link, officials said. Additional funds needed to repair damages to I-95 and the Fairfield Avenue bridge will be supported by the emergency relief program through subsequent nationwide funding allocations.

More information about the program can be found at www.fhwa.dot.gov.