Three people in custody in connection with the case (photo/WSB-TV)
Three people have been arrested and charged in connection with the fiery bridge collapse on I-85 Thursday. The State Fire Marshall’s Office confirmed the arrests Friday evening. One is charged with first degree criminal damage to property. Two others have been charged with criminal trespass.
The fire that broke out underneath the I-85 near Piedmont Road caused a bridge to collapse in the northbound lanes and severely damaged adjacent southbound lanes. As a result, the state’s top transportation official says both sides of the interstate near Piedmont Road will have to be rebuilt.
“The extent of the fire-related damage necessitates extensive reconstruction activities to ensure the safety of motorists,” says Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Ronald McMurry.
READ: 700 feet of I-85 to be removed and replaced
He says GDOT began working on replacement designs within hours of the collapse. It’s expected to take several months to replace and repair the damage.
Commuter chaos
The fire broke out during rush hour Thursday in a secured area containing stable, non-combustible materials such as PVC piping.
“We are as eager to learn the cause of this fire as anyone,” says McMurry, “which is why we will continue to work closely and in full cooperation with fire investigators to determine exactly how the fire was started.” Although officials have not yet released the cause of the fire, the arrests may help put to rest anxiety regarding whether it was a terror attack.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the FBI told him there’s no evidence of terrorism.
I-85 between I-75 and GA 400 remains closed in both directions.
“This is as serious a transportation crisis as we could have,” Reed says.
Governor Nathan Deal has declared a state of emergency for Fulton County.
“The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety and minimize disruption of traffic as we continue emergency response efforts,” Deal says.
According to Fox 5 News in Atlanta, fire officials were able to pull all the firefighters out from under the overpass just before the collapse after noticing “signs of fatigue” in the structure.
While firefighters were being pulled back from below, motorists were being turned away above.
Witnesses told WSB-TV in Atlanta troopers were telling cars to turn around on the bridge because they were concerned about its integrity just minutes before it came crashing down shortly after 7 p.m.
No one was injured.
Travel options
The Governor’s Office says the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and other state and local transit agencies are working to identify all possible options for commuters, including utilizing the Xpress Bus Service and Peach Pass express lanes.
State Public Safety Commissioner Mark McDonough warns of huge commuter headaches ahead. “Two-eighty-five is going to be slammed; 75 is going to be slammed, and it’s going to be a lot of pressure on the system. Plan ahead, be patient.”
GDOT issued a list of Roadway Closures & Alternate Routes:
- I-85 is closed from I-75/Brookwood split to the North Druid Hills Exit
- Motorists traveling northbound on I-85 from the southside of Atlanta will be diverted to northbound I-75 at Brookwood near 17th Street
- Motorists traveling southbound on I-85 north of Atlanta will be diverted to northbound on SR400
- Motorists traveling southbound on SR400 from north of Atlanta will be diverted at Sidney Marcus exit
- I-285 and I-20 are both open to traffic and are the best alternatives for motorists to utilize if possible.
- Motorists are encouraged to utilize their favorite wayfinding app to help navigate to their destinations.
GDOT will provide updated information to assist travelers on its website at www.dot.ga.gov, on Facebook and through Georgia 511.
