Politics
Politics

Podcast: What did Georgia learn from the I-85 bridge collapse?

A large fire that caused an overpass on Interstate 85 to collapse burns in Atlanta on March 30, 2017. (WSB-TV via AP)
A large fire that caused an overpass on Interstate 85 to collapse burns in Atlanta on March 30, 2017. (WSB-TV via AP)
By Bria Felicien
April 3, 2018

On March 30, 2017 - the last day of Georgia’s 2017 legislative session - a bridge on I-85 in Atlanta caught on fire and collapsed.

“That is one of the busiest stretches of highway in Atlanta,” said AJC transportation reporter David Wickert on the latest Politically Georgia podcast. “About 250,000 vehicles a day go through there. It was a major disruption for a lot of commuters.”

Host Greg Bluestein and Wickert discussed the bridge fire and collapse, how the Georgia Department of Transportation handled the fire and speedy repairs, and what the state has learned to prevent a similar situation from happening.

Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher. You can also download or stream the episode below:

About the Author

Bria Felicien is a published author and staff writer at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She produces podcasts for the AJC.

Follow Bria Felicien on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

First Liberty Building & Loan founder Brant Frost IV. (Photo illustration: Philip Robibero/AJC)

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC

Georgia investigators ramp up probe into First Liberty collapse

Witnesses are being called in Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger's civil inquiry into the collapse of First Liberty Building & Loan.

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

The warnings are mounting for Georgia Republicans about the danger they'll face in the 2026 midterm elections if the party does not change course.

Warnock urges Congress to do more to combat America’s affordability crisis

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a speech he worried that concerns about rising costs are leading to something darker: anger and frustration.

The Latest

President Donald Trump dances to music after speaking at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Credit: AP

OPINION

Red flags piling up for Georgia Republicans heading into 2026 midterms

Warnock urges Congress to do more to combat America’s affordability crisis

Georgia investigators ramp up probe into First Liberty collapse

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.