Indiana bridge indefinitely closed after truck strikes frame

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - An 80-year-old bridge in southwestern Indiana is now closed indefinitely after inspectors found that it sustained major damage when a truck carrying an oversize load struck it last month.

The Indiana Department of Transportation said Tuesday that the southbound U.S. 41 truss bridge spanning Pigeon Creek was extensively damaged in the Jan. 21 incident. INDOT engineers decided to close the bridge the same day, pending a more extensive review.

Inspectors who then used a climbing team, drones and other specialized equipment to examine the bridge found major damage to nearly all of its vertical components and weight-bearing connections, The Evansville Courier & Press reported.

INDOT said the bridge is now closed indefinitely, and "early estimates from the bridge engineering team indicate it could take more than a year to repair the bridge.'ť The agency has enlisted the services of a consultant to review the reports and determine the next steps.

State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle said the bridge was damaged when a truck carrying a large electric motor struck its frame after an escort driver in another vehicle tried unsuccessfully to warn the truck driver that his vehicle wouldn't fit under the bridge.

The truck driver was ticketed for an expired registration and for breaking the terms of the vehicle's over-sized permit.

INDOT spokesman Jason Tiller said the agency intends to 'œpursue financial responsibility from the parties involved.'ť