News Summary
The Talmadge Bridge in Savannah has reopened to traffic after it was closed for inspections following a crane strike. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Emergency services quickly managed the situation, and alternative routes were provided as inspections confirmed the bridge’s structural integrity. The Coast Guard later allowed boats to resume traffic on the Savannah River after the repairs were completed, highlighting the efficiency of local agencies in addressing the incident.
Savannah, GA – The Talmadge Bridge has officially reopened to all traffic following a crane strike that occurred on Friday afternoon. The bridge, known as the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, was shut down in both directions to ensure public safety as inspections were conducted to assess any potential damage.
The incident took place when a crane, aboard the vessel “Lona Myrick” owned by local company Myrick Marine, struck the underside of the bridge while being towed on the Savannah River. Fortunately, the Savannah Fire Department reported that there were no injuries associated with the incident.
In the wake of the crane strike, the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) promptly advised the public to avoid the area, recommending alternative routes to navigate the busy region. As a precaution, the Savannah River was temporarily closed to all waterway traffic, significantly impacting local shipping activities.
The Savannah Police Department enforced traffic diversions, requiring all southbound traffic on U.S. 17 from South Carolina to divert onto Hutchinson Island. Subsequent rerouting meant that traffic from Hutchinson Island was then directed toward northbound U.S. 17 back to South Carolina. Additionally, the northbound lanes of I-16/US-17 were closed, compelling vehicles to use the Gwinnett Street Ramp instead. These closures created considerable backups and delays for motorists traveling between Jasper County and Savannah.
Inspections by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) were initiated to verify the structural integrity of the bridge after the crane’s impact. Initially, there was concern that the bridge might remain closed for an indefinite amount of time; however, updates from GDOT indicated that they were working diligently to conduct the necessary safety evaluations. By 5:30 p.m. on the same day, GDOT announced that the southbound lanes of the Talmadge Bridge had safely reopened, followed closely by the reopening of the northbound lanes by 6:00 p.m.
Late in the evening, the Coast Guard issued an all-clear signal for boats to resume traffic on the Savannah River at approximately 10:30 p.m., indicating that there were no further restrictions following the repairs and assessments completed earlier in the day. As part of their protocol, the Coast Guard’s safety marine unit began conducting alcohol and drug tests on the crew members of the Lona Myrick to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The swift response from emergency services, including the Savannah Fire Department and the various traffic divisions of local law enforcement, was crucial in managing the safety of citizens and minimizing disruptions caused by this unfortunate incident. The overall quick reopening of the Talmadge Bridge also highlights the efficiency of local agencies in handling unexpected situations.
Overall, while the crane strike caused significant traffic disruptions and public concern, the coordinated response efforts ensured that the bridge was reopened within hours, allowing normal travel and transportation on the critical route across the Savannah River.
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