Following an accident involving a truck hitting an overpass, interstate 16 is closed in both directions in Treutlen County after a truck hit an overpass, and will likely remain closed through the weekend.
Westbound and eastbound I-16 lanes are closed between exits 71 and 78. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, a truck collided with the I-16 overpass on State Highway 86 and caused the bridge to shift off the support beams.
Here’s the latest update tweet from GDOT Friday morning.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says there were no injuries in the wreck.
GDOT shared pictures of the incident on social media right after it happened.
GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said in a news conference Thursday afternoon that the work to get the interstate safely reopened will take several days as the bridge will have to be demolished.
GDOT says demolition on the bridge on State Highway 86 will begin Thursday evening.
See Commissioner McMurry and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s full comments below:
Here are detour routes for the time being:
Eastbound Detour:Take Exit 71 – Turn Right onto Highway 15, through Soperton, Left onto State Route 46, Left onto SR 56, Re-Enter I-16 at Exit 78
Westbound Detour: Take Exit 78 - Turn Right onto Highway 221 North, Left onto US 80 West, go through town of Adrian, Left onto SR 15, Re-Enter I-16 at Exit 71
McMurry estimates approximately 21,000 vehicles per day will be using these detours, so GDOT is asking drivers to use patience and caution.