Interstate 95 in Groton will close for an hour Tuesday evening while crews work to repair damage caused when a crane brought down power lines around 4 a.m. The accident caused an hours-long highway closure earlier and power outages, which led Groton public school officials to close school for the day.
Connecticut State Police confirmed the highway will be shut down between exits 87 and 88 in both directions for one hour at 6:15 p.m. to continue repairs in the area.
The highway was closed between exits 87 and 88 in both directions Tuesday morning, according to Connecticut State Police, and there were significant delays for hours.
Shortly after the highway partially reopened, a four-car crash was reported just near exit 89 on I-95 southbound. State Police said no injuries were reported and the crash was minor.
A brush fire was also reported on the southbound side of the highway between exits 88 and 87, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Police said the brush fire has been taken care of.
Groton Utilities said in a post on its website that a crew that was using a crane to install new signs over I-95 hit power lines.
"As a result, multiple fires have been reported, electric power lines are down and there are multiple outages in Groton," the company said.
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Groton Utilities said they were working to identify the damage and protect the public and traffic from danger.
The power outage led Groton Public Schools to close on Tuesday, according to the school system’s website.
Poquonnock Bridge firefighters said they had to call a multiple alarm for what appeared to be power surges that caused odors of smoke or light hazes of smoke.
A hotel in the area had to evacuate because there was an electrical odor and haze of smoke. Crews determined the smoke was coming from a vent and guests were allowed back in their rooms, but the hotel was operating on emergency power, according to firefighters.
Mutual aid was called in from Gales Ferry, Electric Boat, New London, Mystic and Old Mystic for various alarms and odors of electrical smoke.
