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WV Gazette wrote: July 07, 2006
Cargo falls off semi, gouges huge holes in I-64 bridge

A 15-ton thermal tube bound for a NASA project tumbled from a flatbed semi tractor-trailer Thursday evening on Interstate 64 near Institute and gouged two holes in the bridge, State Police said.

The driver told police he was coming around a bend about 6:50 p.m. when his truck’s load shifted and the tube fell off in the eastbound lanes, said Trooper J.R. Baker of the South Charleston detachment.

The tube’s impact punched two holes that measured several feet across in the shoulder of the road on the bridge. The tractor-trailer then struck the retaining wall.

A pickup truck wrecked after the driver saw the tractor-trailer go out of control, Baker said.

Two other vehicles under the interstate were damaged by falling bits of bridge, he said.

The tube bounced twice and traveled over the bridge wall at least 200 feet. It nearly crossed the interstate’s entrance ramp, Baker said.

Nobody was hurt, he said.

Eastbound traffic was diverted, but the bridge was reopened about two hours later after state Division of Highways workers inspected it, he said. Markers were put up to alert drivers to the damaged shoulder.

However, the westbound entrance and exit ramps that run under the damaged section of bridge have been closed to make certain no motorists are struck by fallen debris, Baker said.

DOH crews will begin repairs today, he said.

The driver was cited for failure to maintain control and having an unsecured load, he said.

NASA officials could not be reached for comment late Thursday.