A massive fire collapsed a bridge on Interstate 85 in Atlanta, Georgia on the evening of March 30, 2017. After the section collapsed, I-85 was closed to traffic for approximately between its split with I-75 and the interchange with State Route 400. Three sections of northbound I-85 and three sections of southbound I-85 were replaced in 43 days at a cost of $15 million USD. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the fire, although the charges were later dropped. A NTSB report determined that the Georgia Department of Transportation contributed to the incident by unsafely storing materials under the bridge.
Events
On March 30, 2017, a massive fire collapsed a section of the I-85 freeway viaduct in Atlanta, Georgia, stranding motorists for miles during rush hour traffic. The fire under the viaduct was allegedly "maliciously set" by a group of three individuals. The area of the collapse was along SR 237 in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood north of Midtown Atlanta. Atlanta MayorKasim Reed described the situation as a "transportation crisis" and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency. The fire started at approximately 6:05 p.m. in a state-owned storage area under the highway bridge which contained high-density polyethylene and fiberglass tubing. The heat from the fire caused the collapse of a section of I-85 northbound at 7:14 p.m. Fire crews had the blaze under control by about 8:00 p.m.
Aftermath
The highway was closed for an extended period of time in the area. No injuries were reported in the incident, and officials were credited with preventing casualties by stopping traffic and turning away onlookers. Terrorism or foul play was not immediately suspected. It was thought that other sections of the bridge may have been compromised from the heat of the fire. Inspections of the bridge prior to the fire reveal that the deck and superstructure were in good condition. Traffic data shows that both directions of a nearby point in the highway carried nearly a quarter million vehicles a day in 2015. The closure of the highway put extra strain on surface roads and nearby highways until it was reopened. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority announced an extension of service in response to the incident. MARTA general manager Keith Parker reported ridership spiked by 25% the day following the collapse. Three sections of the southbound side of the bridge, which did not collapse, also had to be replaced. The incident had a devastating effect on many area businesses, one of which reported a 90% decrease in traffic, seeing only three to four customers for the remainder of the day of the fire and the day following. Two weeks after the bridge collapse, President Donald Trump met with the first responders from the incident, commending them for preventing casualties following the bridge collapse. Trump agreed to send $10 million to the state of Georgia to assist in repairs and cleanup efforts.
Arrests and prosecutions
On March 31, officials arrested and charged three individuals in connection with the incident. Basil Eleby was charged with criminal trespassing and first-degree criminal damage to property for setting the fire, and two others were charged with criminal trespassing for being present when the fire was set. All three were believed to be homeless, though it was unclear whether they lived underneath the highway. The three were interrogated and taken to Fulton County jail, with the possibility of additional or upgraded charges as more evidence is developed. The charges against Eleby were later upgraded to first-degree arson, with his bail set at $200,000. An arrest affidavit indicated the three suspects went under the bridge to smoke crack. Eleby denied setting the fire, but one of the other suspects arrested said he watched Eleby put a chair on top of a shopping cart near some fiber optic wire, stored in PVC pipes under the bridge, and set the chair on fire. Eleby appeared in court on August 14, 2017.
Repairs and detours
GDOT officials announced on April 4, 2017, that repairs could be completed by mid-June 2017. Traffic was diverted to I-285, I-75 and SR 400. In an effort to speed completion, up to $3 million in incentive payments were authorized for the contractor, C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, which completed work by May 12, when the northbound lanes of the bridge reopened. In August 2017, a fence was built around the underpass near where the bridge collapsed.
