I-16 re-opens after overpass is smashed by big equipment in haul

A tractor trailer hauling equipment struck and cracked a bridge on Interstate 16 eastbound in Laurens County, resulting in an hourslong shut down that had traffic backed up for at least five miles.

A giant boom lift used for construction was on the back of the truck’s long, industrial-sized trailer as it went under the bridge for U.S. 441 just after 10:30 p.m.

The boom struck beams that support the bridge, and the lift broke into pieces, one of which landed in the right lane on the eastbound side, according to an email from the Georgia State Patrol. The impact caused visible damage and holes in the concrete on top of the overpass.

A tractor trailer traveling behind the first one hit the stray equipment. No one was injured.

Both eastbound lanes were shut down and interstate traffic was diverted from the overpass using exit ramps, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

During the four hours of blocked traffic, structural engineers assessed the damage and determined that it would be safe for eastbound lanes to reopen at 3:15 p.m. after lose concrete was removed.

The southbound lanes of U.S. 441, where damage was most obvious, will be blocked Tuesday morning with a concrete barrier until repairs are made, Georgia State Patrol said.

Three of the steel beams will be repaired, and one needs to be replaced, but the schedule for construction was unclear from the email.

The Georgia State Patrol’s public information office was unable to answer questions Monday night about the truck such as what company it belonged to, where it was coming and where it was going.

This story was originally published July 24, 2017 at 4:44 PM with the headline "I-16 re-opens after overpass is smashed by big equipment in haul."