Another Crane Failed to Clear the Bridge

[Bird]

As of this moment, I-35E northbound is shut down at Exit 460 (Corinth Parkway) which is my exit, just south of Denton. It's about 3 blocks from my home and there are two news helicopters buzzing around overhead because traffic is backed up for miles. Fortunately, I don't have to go anywhere and I do know alternative routes. But another crane embedded itself in the overpass and the truck driver was sent to the hospital with unspecified injuries. I think it was about a year ago that the same thing happened and the overpass was closed for over a month for repairs. I don't know yet how serious the damage will be this time.

 

[Piperflyer]

Pictures?

 

[Bird]

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures. TV Channel 5 NBC showed them pulling the embedded piece out of the bridge, but I didn't want to go down there and add to the traffic mess to get my own pictures and I don't know how long the pictures will be on Channel 5's website.

 

[Jimbrown]

I love it he speared the 14ft 8in sign dead center

LIVE NOW: Crane Crashes Into Bridge, Shuts Down NB I-35E - News Story - KXAS | Dallas

 

[Bird]

There's a couple of pictures in the Denton Record Chronicle and as I expected, the bridge will be shut down indefinitely. The last time it was about 2 months if I remember right.

 

[lopezian]

I don't think OSHA would approve of his technique for hooking up that chain. See the other pics of the truck that accompany the article. It looks like the crane flipped the truck up backwards before tearing off its base - flipped the truck high enough for the cab of the truck to get crushed on the *underside* of the overpass!

 

[EddieWalker]

OK, I give up. What's he doing in that picture?

Eddie

 

[Bird]

OK, I give up. What's he doing in that picture?

Eddie

He's on the wrecker boom hooking a chain around that crane boom that was poked through the floor of the overpass. Then he pulled it out of there.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I can only imagine the suprised guy on the overpass at the same time! What the @#*!? was that?

 

[jmfox]

It is clear that the crane didn't make, but not much is offered about the driver's condition. I'm not sure of the circumstances, but it looks like the crane may have been elevated. Either it was not in the travel position, or it creeped or bounced up during travel. One of the lessons maybe to chain down any hyraulics that would change your clearance estimate.

jmf