Bridge’s steel beam collapses at 66 and 29

Media General News Service
Published: October 6, 2008

A construction worker was injured when a steel beam on a bridge collapsed in a construction zone at U.S. 29 and Interstate 66.

The collapse happened about 12:30 near Heathcote Boulevard. Transportation officials said a steel beam came down during a bridge demolition and struck a worker in the head. He escaped serious injury.

The beam crashed onto the shoulder of U.S. 29.

A witness who was sitting at a stoplight near the scene said a crew was working with two or three cranes when a cable snapped and the bridge collapsed to the ground.

“It didn’t look good,” said Don Upchurch, who immediately dialed 911.

The work was part of a new cloverleaf being built at the intersection. U.S. 29 in the area was closed to traffic for the road work.

Police briefly closed I-66 in both directions and U.S. 29 at the intersection. That section was already closed for construction so no motorists were in the area at the time.

U.S. 29 was scheduled to be closed for roadwork until 3 p.m., but Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Salmon said the road will remain closed through the evening as workers clean up the scene.

Traffic is being detoured onto Heathcote Boulevard.

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