Interstate 85 bridge collapse
Repair work being done at the collapse site on April 9, 2017 | |
| Date | March 30, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Time | c. 6:05 p.m. EDT |
| Location | I-85 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Coordinates | 33°48′49″N 84°21′59″W / 33.8136°N 84.3663°W |
| Type | Bridge collapse |
| Cause | Improper material storage, Arson (suspected) |
| Property damage | Three sections of northbound I-85 and three sections of southbound I-85 were replaced |
A massive fire collapsed an Interstate 85 (I-85) bridge in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, on the evening of March 30, 2017. After the 92-foot-long (28 m) section collapsed, I-85 was closed to traffic for 43 days between its split with I-75 and the interchange with State Route 400 (SR 400) — approximately two miles (3 km). Three sections of northbound I-85 and three sections of southbound I-85 were replaced at a cost of $15 million; re-opening of the interstate was on May 12.
Three individuals were arrested in connection with the fire, although the charges were later dropped. An NTSB report determined that the Georgia Department of Transportation contributed to the incident by unsafely storing materials under the bridge.