Monroe County’s Pate Road bridge reopens after I-75 accident

Monroe County residents no longer have to detour miles around the Pate Road Bridge over Interstate 75.

The overpass reopened Tuesday evening for the first time since a fiery crash damaged the bridge Sept. 20, said Kimberly Larson, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

A refrigerated tractor trailer caught fire after overturning and being struck by another vehicle at about 6:30 a.m. that Sunday.

Concrete on the overpass cracked in the extreme heat and crews have been working ever since to make sure the bridge is safe for travel.

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 9:35 AM with the headline "Monroe County’s Pate Road bridge reopens after I-75 accident ."