Bridge Accident Damage Closes 183 & Loop 12 In Irving
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IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - All of northbound Loop 12 and part of eastbound Highway 183 in Irving remain closed, after a semi hit an overpass just after noon on Friday.
As rush hour got underway crews were still at the scene, busy trying to clean up the mess that snarled traffic for hours.
Just after 5:30 p.m. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) workers began re-opening the two main inside lanes of eastbound Highway 183. Minutes later, northbound Loop 12 also was reopened.
Officials with the Irving Police Department say the driver of the truck, from Champion Waste and Recycling Services, told them the lift arm of his semi suddenly went up and hit the bridge as he drove under it.
CBS 11 went to Champion Waste but there were no supervisors at the location to speak with us.
Speaking about the semi driver, Irving police Captain Stephan Granberry said, "His truck is incapacitated. He's got minor injuries. There was one vehicle, which was an SUV that got some debris that fell on top of it. That driver got some minor scrapes, but his vehicle had to be towed away."
Police are investigating the crash.
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) workers confirm the impact from the crash damaged three crossbeams that support the far right lanes and should of eastbound Highway 183 – both of which will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
TxDOT's Ryan LaFontaine said, "We're hoping to be able to open [Highway] 183 as soon as we can. It will be later this evening. Whether or not we'll make the rush hour window I'm not sure. You know, there's still some work that has to be done out there."
The traffic backup, on both Highway 183 and Loop 12, is immense. It's estimated that cars are moving at 7 mph or less. "It is definitely slow going through that area," LaFontaine said. "Right now we are still pushing people off onto the frontage roads. If you have to take that route we are highly encouraging motorists to use alternate routes."
As of 5:35 p.m. TxDOT said they hoped to have northbound Loop 12 open later Friday night.
In an afternoon interview with LaFontaine he said, "Loop 12 that you see going under the bridge, what our guys are out there doing now is, we're scraping away the loose concrete, we're moving some of the rebar, trying to get the roadway cleaned up. Hopefully we will be able to secure all of that area underneath the bridge and get the road opened up as soon as possible."
Ryan LaFontaine talks to LP Phillips
Drivers had been diverted from eastbound 183 to the Loop 12 frontage road and travelers on northbound Loop 12 were diverted to the 183 frontage road.
Officials are still urging drivers to avoid the area.
There have been no reports of serious injuries.
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