Dump truck accident damages I-75 overpass

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

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A dump truck on SR-50 struck the I-75 overpass. (Slideshow)

HERNANDO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The eastbound lanes of State Road 50, near Interstate-75 in Hernando County, will remain closed for at least three weeks following an accident involving a dump truck, according to engineers on scene.

About 1:28 Tuesday afternoon, a dump truck, driven by William Lindsay, 56, struck the overpass on SR-50.

The raised bed of the truck collided with the first and second outside concrete beams that support the I-75 overpass.

Large amounts of concrete and reinforcement bar fell onto the roadway; however, no other vehicles were struck during the incident and the roadway was closed as a result.

One lane of I-75 southbound at exit 301 has since been reopened.

More Information

Lindsay was not injured during the collision.

The traffic had been diverted off I-75 southbound and then back on to I-75 via the southbound on ramp.

There is severe damage to the overpass and it's unknown how much repairs could cost. Two horizontal bridge beams will have to be removed and replaced.

The Florida Department already has a contractor at the site and they will begin demolition Tuesday night. New beams are also being ordered to replace the damaged ones.

Charges against Lindsay or the trucking company, W. Clyde Daniel Construction of Brooksville are pending completion of the crash investigation and vehicle inspection.

Traffic changes

The eastbound lanes of State Road 50 will remain closed until the demolition of the damaged portions of the bridge is complete.

East and westbound traffic is possible along State Road 50 as eastbound traffic has been re-directed into the westbound lanes of SR-50 where the roadway has been reconfigured into a two-lane road just under the overpass.

Northbound traffic on Interstate 75 will not be affected; however, southbound traffic is being merged into the left lane and will continue to be re-directed until the overpass is structurally sound to allow for passing traffic.

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