I-85 Shut Down For ‘Foreseeable Future’ After Fire, Collapse

Dan Raby, Associated Press | WABE

March 30th, 2017

Lisa George / WABE

Part of an overpass on northbound Interstate 85 has collapsed after a massive fire. Smoke could be seen for miles all around Atlanta.

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The Atlanta Police Department tells WABE that conduit wiring stored under a portion of I-85 just north of the Piedmont Road overpass caught fire and was what caused the collapse.

The APD was able to shut down the lanes so nobody was on the highway when it collapsed. Witnesses say troopers were telling cars to turn around on the bridge because they were concerned about its integrity. Minutes later, the bridge collapsed.

I-85 has been shut down in both directions “for the foreseeable future,” a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Transportation said.
 
The department warned all motorists to stay off I-85. Alternate routes include taking I-75 to I-285 or I-20 to I-285.
 
Multiple media outlets report traffic was bumper to bumper on Buford Highway as people tried to escape the backup from the collapse.
 

Mayor Kasim Reed has tweeted that there was no loss of life reported after the collapse, which authorities said happened around 7 p.m. Thursday.

Inspectors were at the scene, and they’ve contacted the original company that built the bridge to come in and assess the extent of the damage, according to Gov. Nathan Deal.

“We’re trying to determine everything we can about how quickly can we repair it and get it back in service,” Deal said. “I can assure you we will do everything to expedite the repair and replacement of that section of the bridge.”

Multiple media outlets report traffic was bumper to bumper on Buford Highway as people tried to escape the backup from the collapse.

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