While thankfully no one was injured in the incident, the collapse of I-85 is going to cause serious traffic issues for commuters throughout the city, and quite possibly an increase of crashes as more cars are forced through smaller roads and people get used to new commuting routes.
In case you haven’t heard the news, the AJC and national news explained the situation. A fire was started underneath I-85 on Piedmont Road that caught construction materials stored under there on fire. This sparked a gigantic blaze that sent smoke throughout the city. The heat was so intense that it caused the steel and concrete to fail. A chunk of the northbound highway about the size of a football field collapsed and fell onto Piedmont.
Once inspectors were able to get in there to check the damage, the southbound lanes were closed off as well due to damage. This cuts off one of the most important arteries for getting around the city.
City officials are doing their best to clear the debris so Piedmont can be used again. Fixing I-85 itself may take anywhere from a month to half a year for final repairs.
Three people have been arrested in relation to the incident, but it is still early in the investigation. It is not believed to be related to terrorism.
Do you need personal injury representation in Atlanta? Do you believe that infrastructure problems may have caused them? Call John Foy & Associates for a free consultation.
