A semi truck collided with a bridge at the Millet overpass on the morning of Jan. 17.
Emergency crews and members of the Ponoka and Leduc Integrated Traffic Units were on scene of the incident which caused the truck to go on fire. Investigators say that a southbound semi tractor unit went off the road and struck the Secondary Highway 616 overpass.
The truck was hauling milk in milk crates, which were thrown all over the highway and the semi caught on fire. The extent of injuries suffered the driver, and lone occupant is not known at this time.
Lanes were reopened to traffic in the early afternoon.
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Traffic was diverted across Secondary Highway 616 using the on and off ramps to allow motorists to get past.
Significant traffic delays occurred to the collision and the bridge has since been closed from public use.
Bridge closed pending inspection
Alberta Transportation confirmed that bridge engineers were inspecting the bridge and that no time line has been set to open it to motorists.
“Hwy 616 over Hwy 2 is closed due to an accident that damaged the overpass bridge,” states the 511 Alberta website. “A thorough inspection and engineering assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of the damage and what is required to reopen Hwy 616 to traffic. Hwy 2 traffic may see some delays due to ongoing inspection and clean up activities.”
It is believed the truck crashed into the bridge at a relatively high speed, which was a cause for concern.
Wayne Wood, with Alberta Transportation, added that because of the fire, engineers intend to peel away some of the concrete to determine the severity of fire damage.
