Updated 7-16-21 - Thursday night crews began removing the bridge and completed the demolition around 2:00 a.m.  Debris removal is currently underway and the DOT hopes to have at least 1 lane of westbound traffic open for travel by 5 p.m. Friday.  The process will continue and hopefully eastbound lanes may be open as early as Saturday.  There is currently no timetable for when the bridge replacement will be completed.

All lanes, both east and westbound, were closed the morning of July 15 between Exits 71 and 78 following a tractor trailer accident involving the Georgia Highway 86 overpass. In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Gov. Brian Kemp and GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said the bridge would have to be demolished, and rebuilt and demolition crews and machinery would be onsite as early as Thursday night to begin the process. Commissioner McMurry said every attempt to have traffic flowing westbound on I-16 from Savannah to Macon by Sunday morning, and by Monday have one lane open for traffic going eastbound. The Commissioner said it is expected to I-16 fully reopened by late- to mid-week next week depending on weather and complications of demolition. There is not timeline as of yet when the bridge will be fully repaired over the Interstate noting that there is adequate detours to guide traffic on other routes other than Hwy 86.  

The driver of the dump truck nor anyone was seriously hurt in the accident, but Comm. McMurry said the state would consider insurable compensation as is customary in bridge accidents in Georgia.

Westbound Detour

Take Exit 78- Turn Right onto Highway 221 North, Left onto US 80 West, go through town of Adrian, Left onto State Route 15, Re-Enter I-16 at Exit 71

Eastbound Detour

Take Exit 71 – Turn Right onto Highway 15, through Soperton, Left onto State Route 46, Left onto State Route 56, Re-Enter I-16 at Exit 78

Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use an alternate route.