The Mount Vernon Highway bridge over I-285 in Sandy Springs will remain closed into next year after a tractor-trailer carrying an excavator crashed into it Wednesday, significantly damaging the bridge beams.
Structural evaluations of the bridge were concluded Thursday evening, and it was determined that five of six beams were impacted and require replacement, according to Georgia Department of Transportation spokesperson Natalie Dale. Mount Vernon Highway will not reopen to vehicle or pedestrian traffic until summer 2024.
“Safety of the traveling public is paramount in all Georgia DOT decisions,” Dale said. “GDOT is working with the contractor and evaluating all viable options to advance the current project timeline.”
Authorities closed the bridge and the westbound I-285 lanes below after the truck clipped the overpass around noon Wednesday, snarling traffic during the evening commute and beyond. The damaged portion was secured overnight to prevent debris from falling onto the interstate, and all lanes of I-285 West reopened around 4 a.m. Thursday.
The quickest way to get around the Mount Vernon Highway closure is to use Riverside Drive. Long Island Drive and Roswell Road are also good alternates, the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center reported.
According to GDOT, the truck and equipment involved in the wreck were not related to the construction crews already in the area for the reconstruction of the bridge, built in 1962.
Since Sept. 5, the inside lanes on both the inner and outer loop of I-285 have been closed due to work associated with the lane extension project. The project aims to add an auxiliary lane along I-285 between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive, and replace the Mount Vernon Highway bridge.
The work was expected to continue until Nov. 4, but due to needed repairs and material availability, Dale said completion of the project and reopening of the overpass is now estimated to conclude next summer.
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