Road closures in place after truck with oversized load strikes three I-81 bridges

Updated on Sept. 24, 9:39 a.m.

Southbound Interstate 81 fully reopened in Rockingham County early Wednesday morning, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

VDOT inspected both overpasses that were struck and removed damaged concrete to prevent debris from falling onto travel lanes.

The damaged bridges carry Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) and Route 867 (North River Road) over I-81 in the Mount Crawford area. Both of those roadways are expected to remain closed for at least a couple of days as VDOT continues to inspect the structures and make any repairs needed to ensure safe travel for motorists.

 

Updated on Sept. 23, 9:59 p.m.

Two bridges over Interstate 81 in Rockingham County and the right lane of southbound I-81 remain closed until at least Wednesday morning, Sept. 24, according to an update from the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The bridge and lane closures are for detailed inspections and possible repairs due to damage sustained earlier in the day.

Routes 704 and 867 will not reopen until VDOT determines that they are safe for vehicle traffic.

VDOT will provide updates on the status of the bridges and related traffic restrictions on southbound I-81 on Wednesday.

 

Original story, published Sept. 23, 6:49 p.m.

A tractor trailer truck hauling an oversized load struck three bridges on Interstate 81 southbound in Rockingham and Augusta counties this afternoon resulting in lane and road closures.

According to Virginia State Police, the truck struck two overpasses, at the 241.5 and 239.5 mile-markers in Rockingham County, at approximately 4:15 p.m. this afternoon.

The truck also struck a third bridge, Va. 775 (Buttermilk Road) in Augusta County. That bridge received only minor damage and did not result in any road closures.

After the bridges were hit, the suspect truck continued travelling southbound on I-81 until it stopped at the Mount Sidney rest area, also in Augusta County.

The driver of the truck, John D. Duggins, 62, of Stuarts Draft, has been charged with misdemeanor property damage, violating maximum vehicle height, reckless driving, two misdemeanor hit and run counts and a permit violation, according to VSP.

Ken Slack, the communications director for the Staunton District of the Virginia Department of Transportation, said bridge inspections and repairs are taking place due to the damage sustained from the impact.

Slack said the right lane of I-81 southbound is closed near mile-markers 239 and 241.

Va. 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) and Va. 867 (North River Road) are also closed in the area of the bridge overpasses over I-81 due to damage from the truck strikes.

“I do not yet have a timetable on the lane or road closures,” Slack told AFP.

VSP said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.