JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A crash under the Interstate 95 overpass near Max Leggett Parkway caused lanes to close and traffic to be diverted on Tuesday as crews worked to assess the damage.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a truck was driving west on Max Leggett Pkwy around 3:30 p.m. when its hydraulic dump bed was extended higher than the allotted clearance for a vehicle.
The truck ran into the I-95 overpass, causing debris to hit a 29-year-old woman’s vehicle who was also traveling on the same street.
The crash caused concern about the overpass’s structural integrity. The Florida Department of Transportation bridge inspectors evaluated the damage to ensure it was safe for drivers to return to the roadway.
Two right lanes on I-95 North and the Airport Road exit ramp were closed while crews repaired the damage.
The roads will reopen once FDOT confirms the infrastructure’s safety. FDOT said this is a standard procedure for these types of incidents.
Dr. Adel ElSafty, an engineering professor at the University of North Florida, estimated how long repairs could take.
“Safety is very important for everyone, and we’re going to take that burden. But ultimately, what we’re hoping for is that we have sound and safe infrastructure for us so nobody will get hurt. So unfortunately, we’re going to take that burden and that hopefully can be done within two, three weeks max.,” ElSafty said.
“We appreciate the patience of the motoring public and support for safe reliable infrastructure,” FDOT said in a statement.
Police also closed off traffic from under I-95 on Max Leggett Parkway.
The FHP report said the woman suffered minor injuries. The 38-year-old truck driver was uninjured.
FDOT also said the repairs wouldn’t fall on taxpayers. The burden falls on the person found at fault for the accident.