After a DeKalb County Landfill truck hit the Veterans Memorial Bridge Monday, TDOT officials are saying the span across College Street will be closed to traffic until it can be repaired.
In a report to TDOT Transportation Regional Director Ray Rucker, TDOT Director of Structures Wayne J. Seger wrote that: “This bridge sustained collision damage to the beams and deck by a waste disposal truck. We have completed the damage inspection and evaluation of this bridge. This structure consists of four simply supported concrete deck girder spans with an asphalt wearing surface. The substructure is concrete. This bridge sustained collision damage to the beams and deck by a waste disposal truck. We have completed the damage inspection and evaluation of this bridge.”
Seger reported that: “Beams “E” and “F” in span number 3 have sustained heavy collision damage near the midspan. It has resulted in large areas of spalled concrete with exposed damaged reinforcing steel. The area of spalling on beam “F” is nine feet long, one foot and six inches wide, and one foot deep. On beam “E” it is fifteen feet long, one foot and eight inches wide, and one foot and eight inches deep. In their present condition concrete beams “E” and “F” in span number 3 have no calculated live load carrying capacity. The deck and sidewalk on the right side of span number 3 have heavy cracking up to 1/8 inch wide extending all the way through the deck due to collision damage. At the time of inspection, the bridge underpass was posted for a vertical clearance of thirteen feet and ten inches.”
Seger recommended that the bridge be closed to traffic, and that proper signs and barricades be installed, that beams “E” and “F” be repaired or replaced, and that the deck and sidewalk be repaired.
“After the beams, deck, and sidewalk have been satisfactorily completed, the bridge shall be re-opened to traffic without any restrictions,” he wrote.
Broad Street will remain open underneath the bridge.
The bridge was struck by an empty garbage truck with the lift raised. The driver of the truck, Roger Chapman, 54, received minor injuries and was cited by Smithville Police for speeding.
