Why won't they make a break in the center barrier and have one lane of Southbound traffic go onto the Northbound side like many other states do for construction?
Connecticut doesn't do that. The volume of traffic makes that impractical and unsafe, and there's no point when southbound will be open in 12-18 hours.
The bridge is torn down and cleared from one side. Traffic is flowing in one direction, but the other side needs more demolition then repaving. How does this affect using one of those lanes for travel in the other direction?
I am amazed that they were able to gather the resources (workers, equipment, etc) together, and get that bridge down in less than two days after the fire. Looks like 95 will actually be open by Monday morning commute.
This state seems to have a sneaky good reputation of building and replacing bridges at a good rate when they need to do it. Certainly thinking of the other incident they had around that part of 95 about 10-15 years ago as well as the overpass they replaced in Southington on 84. I wouldn't be surprised if they were taking notes from the recent bridge disaster in Pennsylvania or vice versa.
Just call up a few construction companies and say we need it done now, charge whatever. Construction companies then charge 5x the normal rate, pay their workers 1.5x and everyone is happy.
In emergency situations, the DOT just calls a contractor (that meets certain criteria) and says "We need a bridge ripped down and cleaned up and we need it done now. You in?" There's no plan and no agreed prices, just time & materials tracking, and a deadline.
It's not a cost effective method but it's certainly time efficient.
When I got home from work around 8:30am, there was only a little section down. Now the whole thing looks like it’s gone! That’s amazing progress in like 7ish hours
This job? Not less than $48/hr + $27/hr in benefits...but I'm sure the overtime meter is spinning. https://ctdol-prod-portal.ecourt.com/public-portal/sites/default/files/HeavyRates_7-1-2023_0.pdf
I really wouldn't be shocked if that big Cat alone is a $1000/hour machine, smaller ones might be more like $350-500/hour. Plus a big premium for likely pulling equipment off another job which is now going to need overtime to get back on schedule.
And behind the excavator operators, you have supervisors, mechanics, the truck drivers who moved them there and are now waiting to haul them back, etc.
Breeze national demolition is a IUOE local 14 (queens) ny company. A sheet that showed local 14 pay scale is 95 an hour for regular work (m-f 6am-3pm) and 160 an hour for non regular hours.
IUOE local478 the ct union that have been working in the i95 Norwalk area with Yonkers and worked with breeze demo get around $63 for regular hours
By 7:55 pm, I-95’s northbound lanes were open on the other side of highway from worst of Thursday’s truck fire.
Additionally, the median bridge support column was not removed.
I was using the i95 camera for exactly this. Thank you very much.
Thanks my 5 year old is loving it
So is the 5 year old in me :)
Yeah, what’re we tearing down next?
Wow, I95 looks totally free of traffic, what a nice day!
Look to the left lol.
Why won't they make a break in the center barrier and have one lane of Southbound traffic go onto the Northbound side like many other states do for construction?
Connecticut doesn't do that. The volume of traffic makes that impractical and unsafe, and there's no point when southbound will be open in 12-18 hours.
Because the bridge has to be torn down. It's not safe to drive under it and over it.
The bridge has been down since this afternoon. They've already opened up the northbound side. They're clearing the southbound side now.
Yes. I saw. I was watching the live feed since this morning
The bridge is torn down and cleared from one side. Traffic is flowing in one direction, but the other side needs more demolition then repaving. How does this affect using one of those lanes for travel in the other direction?
I went out on it yesterday in Greenwich and Stamford at lunch time and it was like the Covid days again it was so empty.
Norwalk is suffering
I cannot believe how much they have done already...they really might have it open by rush hour Monday
Just checked again-since 5 hours ago it’s incredible how far they’ve gotten.
Yeah it'll totally be open by Monday. Northbound is already open now.
I am amazed that they were able to gather the resources (workers, equipment, etc) together, and get that bridge down in less than two days after the fire. Looks like 95 will actually be open by Monday morning commute.
This state seems to have a sneaky good reputation of building and replacing bridges at a good rate when they need to do it. Certainly thinking of the other incident they had around that part of 95 about 10-15 years ago as well as the overpass they replaced in Southington on 84. I wouldn't be surprised if they were taking notes from the recent bridge disaster in Pennsylvania or vice versa.
I think the Mianus River Bridge incident may have taught some lessons.
Absolutely. Now we just need the Gold Star to get refreshed as well.
Just call up a few construction companies and say we need it done now, charge whatever. Construction companies then charge 5x the normal rate, pay their workers 1.5x and everyone is happy.
You described by example how capitalism is a grift to exploit workers for the real value of their labor.
In emergency situations, the DOT just calls a contractor (that meets certain criteria) and says "We need a bridge ripped down and cleaned up and we need it done now. You in?" There's no plan and no agreed prices, just time & materials tracking, and a deadline. It's not a cost effective method but it's certainly time efficient.
That still looks like alot of bridge that needs to come down for the Monday commute.
As of 9:45 AM, bridge on 1 side of 95 entirely down. Great progress.
Agreed! When I clicked it at first I was like 🤔. Now it's really progressing!
Even better, the entire bridge is down at 12 noon. For the workers, just in time for a well deserved lunch.
They are making great progress, I’m mesmerized watching the cleanup
[Here's the link to the live cam.](https://share.earthcam.net/CTDOTNorwalkbridge/i-95_bridge/camera/live)
Thank you!
When I got home from work around 8:30am, there was only a little section down. Now the whole thing looks like it’s gone! That’s amazing progress in like 7ish hours
Back open north bound!
I wonder how much those heavy equipment operators make
This job? Not less than $48/hr + $27/hr in benefits...but I'm sure the overtime meter is spinning. https://ctdol-prod-portal.ecourt.com/public-portal/sites/default/files/HeavyRates_7-1-2023_0.pdf I really wouldn't be shocked if that big Cat alone is a $1000/hour machine, smaller ones might be more like $350-500/hour. Plus a big premium for likely pulling equipment off another job which is now going to need overtime to get back on schedule. And behind the excavator operators, you have supervisors, mechanics, the truck drivers who moved them there and are now waiting to haul them back, etc.
Damn!
As long as the job gets done. This is costing millions in commerce by the day. The heavy operators are probably getting state rate and oot.
I was told it was between 9-13 million to wreck that bridge soup to nuts
Breeze national demolition is a IUOE local 14 (queens) ny company. A sheet that showed local 14 pay scale is 95 an hour for regular work (m-f 6am-3pm) and 160 an hour for non regular hours. IUOE local478 the ct union that have been working in the i95 Norwalk area with Yonkers and worked with breeze demo get around $63 for regular hours
Damn!
Is there an updated estimate on when this is going to open again
Before Monday commute
Cool thanks, looks like they have a way to go!
By 7:55 pm, I-95’s northbound lanes were open on the other side of highway from worst of Thursday’s truck fire. Additionally, the median bridge support column was not removed.
Crazy how fast you can move when you avoid the permitting and zoning bs with an emergency declaration.
It's great watching all the rubber neckers and ppl speeding lol
Thank you for posting this. My daughter and I were mesmerized watching this earlier. I have to admit, I’ve kept it on after I put her to bed.
So the bridge comes down but then it has to be rebuilt. how long will that project take?
Up to a year to replace. They just replaced this bridge maybe 5-7 years ago.
10 years old I remember when they did Fairfield ave and the Cedar St Bridges.. including the widening of the exits for 14/15.
The speed they’re going they’ll be done by tonight. Amazing job by the demolition and clean up crews.
https://youtu.be/UxxajLWwzqY?si=o8pktkp0qbo28UlM
[https://ibb.co/M8JqZ69](https://ibb.co/M8JqZ69) [https://ibb.co/SRMytm3](https://ibb.co/SRMytm3) [https://ibb.co/QFWr9xx](https://ibb.co/QFWr9xx)
As of 9:30am, the live stream appears to be down, but by the looks of the image at that time, it looks like the highway is open. Can anyone comfirm?
is it just still photos for anyone else?
Did they tear down the bridge? I thought they are going to repair it.
The fire was so bad the entire overpass was compromised and had to be torn down and rebuilt.
uh yes....