Bridge Moves Six Feet After Dump Truck Rams Into It

A Georgia interstate was shut down Thursday after a dump truck full of tires rammed into the bridge and shifted the structure six feet, according to authorities.

The Georgia Highway 86 bridge over I-16 in Treulten County is set to be demolished and replaced after a “large dump trailer hit the bridge, significantly damaging the structure and shifting it nearly six feet” around 1:30 a.m., the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) said.

I-16 is CLOSED from Exit 71 to Exit 78 in Treutlen County. A truck hit the GA 86 bridge and shifted it 6 feet. Engineers on site evaluating a fix. No timeframe for reopen. Find alternate route…⬇️ pic.twitter.com/04byWh43Il

— GDOT East Traffic (@GDOTEastTraffic) July 15, 2021

“It’s something our engineers have never seen before,” a spokesperson with the DOT said, according to Fox News.

Crews assessing the damage. Contractors will help remove lift that hit the I-16 bridge.

Plan….

⏺ Demo bridge. Reopen 1 lane in each interstate direction by Saturday July 17

⏺ Continue demo during week. Reopen all lanes by Saturday July 24

🎥🎥🎥 pic.twitter.com/QLZLx5ezOk

— GDOT East Traffic (@GDOTEastTraffic) July 15, 2021

Following the incident, all lanes were shut down between exits 71 and 78 and will remain shut over the next several days “until the bridge can be removed,” the DOT said. (RELATED: At Least 40 Dead After Bus Goes Off Bridge Into Canal In India, Official Says)

“We are very grateful that there were no injuries or fatalities as a result of this incident,” Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry said Thursday at a press conference.

Several detours have been posted, with the DOT encouraging motorists to use alternative routes.