GREENSBORO – A tentative schedule and other details have been established for repairing the bridge on southbound Interstate 73 where a fuel tanker crashed in December.
The tanker was carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel when it overturned and caught fire on Dec. 13, damaging the bridge where I-73 South meets I-85 in southwest Greensboro.
Since that time, the left lane and shoulder near the southern end of the bridge have been closed as the N.C. Department of Transportation worked to evaluate the damage and determine what materials are needed for the repair. Procuring a modular joint, bearings, and diaphragms that stabilize the girders has driven the repair schedule to this point.
NCDOT has contracted Flatiron Construction to complete the bridge repair on an accelerated timeline at a cost of $3.9 million.
The nature of the repair will require the contractor to close the bridge for an estimated five weeks and reroute I-73 South traffic on a detour following Business 85 North and U.S. 220 South.
The work includes lifting the south end of the bridge to replace the bearings, removing and replacing the end diaphragms and modular joint, repairing and overlaying the damaged deck, and reforming and pouring the damaged concrete barrier wall.
A tentative timeline of the closure and repair is as follows:
- Feb. 25: Installation of advance-warning signs and shoulder closure on I-85 North at junction with I-73.
- March 16: The I-73 South closure and detour go into effect.
- April 30: The bridge and I-73 South are expected to reopen.
- May 10: Project completion with miscellaneous work items finalized.
The repair work is weather dependent. NCDOT will provide updates to alert the public ahead of significant events affecting traffic as the repair progresses.
Drivers are urged to slow down and pay close attention to new signage near the work zone and along the detour route.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.