Local Bridge Accident

Last Friday there was a huge fuel tanker explosion on a highway bridge a little over a mile from my house.  The fire lasted for 2 hours and damaged a good portion of the bridge.  Two people, the drivers of the tanker and a pick up truck that crashed into it died in the explosion.  The whole thing was horrific and hit way too close to home, especially since I was at that intersection a mere 10 minutes earlier.

Today some of the further effects of the accident made themselves known.  The bridge is completely closed down, including the underpass which is the primary road in Merritt Island that leads to Kennedy Space center.  All traffic is being diverted and my drive into work for the next 30 or so days will be taking 45 minutes instead of the 30 it usually does.  It must be especially difficult for the people that live on the other side of the intersection as they have been cut off from the retail area of the island.   Their drive just to get groceries will take an extra 15 minutes as well.  Here's hoping that everything resolves quickly...

(Photo courtesy of Terri Swanson)