Assessments are still ongoing as to the full scope of damage to the Kansas Turnpike bridge over West US Highway 50 in Emporia.
Engineers have been examining the damage since it occurred just after 8:30 am Friday when an articulating boom being transported by a lowboy semi collided with the structure in the 4200 block of West US Highway 50. The initial investigation revealed the strike may have damaged several of the high beams supporting the deck on the northbound bridge.
As a precaution, authorities have shifted westbound US 50 traffic to the eastbound lane, meaning one lane of head-to-head traffic in both directions until further notice. As for the bridge itself, the Kansas Turnpike Authority has closed the outside lane of the bridge and added a 12-foot width restriction, a temporary 45 mph speed limit and is denying access to any oversized or overweight loads until repairs can be completed.
If the bridge is determined to be structurally unsound, additional traffic adjustments will be made, including possibly shutting the bridge down entirely and shifting all traffic to the southbound turnpike bridge.
KTA spokesperson Jeri Biehler has stated they are working with a bridge contractor and design consultant to develop a repair plan and has not ruled out the prospect of an “extended time” for repairs and return to normal traffic flow.
KVOE News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they are made available.
Friday 2:20 pm: Repair plans developing after semi load damages northbound KTA bridge over US Highway 50
Engineers continue to assess the full scope of damage — and the potential repair plan — to a major bridge in far west Emporia following a vehicle accident that has led to questions regarding the structure’s integrity.
According to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, a lowboy semi was hauling a piece of equipment, later confirmed by the Kansas Highway Patrol as an articulating boom, in the 4200 block of West US Highway 50 in front of Flying J. Koelsch says the equipment apparently raised at some point during transit. When the semi passed under the northbound Kansas Turnpike bridge located over the highway, the boom struck the bridge.
Koelsch says damage to the bridge is significant, noting it appeared as though the impact may have “ripped” two to three of the beams supporting the bridge deck. With that in mind, westbound traffic on US 50 has been shifted to the eastbound lane, meaning one-lane traffic in both directions and head-to-head traffic until further notice. Kansas Turnpike Authority spokesperson Jeri Biehler tells KVOE News the outside lane of the northbound KTA bridge is closed just south of the mile marker 127 interchange, while there is a 12-foot width restriction, temporary 45 mph speed limit and no access to the bridge for oversized or overweight loads until repairs are done.
As for the future, Koelsch says if the bridge is determined to be unsafe, the traffic adjustments required may be just as significant as the damage.
Biehler says the KTA is working with a bridge contractor and design consultant to both help with the initial assessment and develop a repair plan. She has not ruled out the prospect of an “extended time” for repairs and the return of traffic to normal flow.
Meanwhile, the Kansas Highway Patrol says the semi driver, 62-year-old Martin Wells of Andover, was taken to Newman Regional Health with suspected minor injuries.
KVOE and KVOE.com will have updates through the weekend. KVOE’s Facebook and YouTube channels have live videos from the scene of the crash.
11 am Friday: Structural damage reported and one person taken to Newman after semi hauled equipment impacts northbound Kansas Turnpike bridge on West US Highway 50 Friday morning
Regardless of what is determined in the coming hours, traffic on and above the 4200 block of US Highway 50 will be slow going.
The reason is that a piece of equipment, described as a cherry picker by Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, struck the northbound Kansas Turnpike bridge just after 8:30 am Friday morning. Koelsch says the equipment rose at some point during transit, leading to the collision.
Koelsch says the impact caused significant damage to the structure.
At this time, westbound traffic in the 4200 block of US 50 is being switched over to the eastbound lane, meaning one lane traffic in both directions until further notice. On the bridge itself, the Kansas Highway Patrol has shifted traffic to the west lane of the bridge, which, at this time, appears to be unaffected.
Engineers are currently trying to determine if the bridge will need to be fully shut down. If it is, Koelsch says traffic will likely be rerouted to the southern turnpike bridge, similar to the lane shifts on Interstate 35 as a result of the Lincoln Street bridge replacement.
Koelsch says if drivers can avoid the area, it is best to do so until the assessments are completed and a traffic control plan is developed.
As for the driver of the semi, Koelsch says he was taken to Newman Regional Health with what are being called “non-life-threatening injuries.”
10:11 AM Friday:
Engineers from Lyon County and the Kansas Highway Patrol are currently assessing the scope of damage to a major bridge in far west Emporia.
According to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, a westbound semi was hauling a piece of equipment, described as a cherry picker or similar piece of equipment, in the 4200 block of West US Highway 50. At some point, the equipment “raised up” and as the semi passed under the northbound turnpike bridge over US 50 it struck the bridge.
Koelsch says the impact caused significant damage to the structure, however, the exact scope of said damage is still being determined by Lyon County Engineers and an engineer through KHP. Authorities are determining if the bridge will need to be shut down completely.
If it is determined a shutdown is needed, traffic will likely be detoured to the southbound turnpike bridge, however, a traffic control plan is still being developed. At this time, westbound traffic on US Highway 50 is being shifted into the eastbound lane, meaning one lane of traffic in both directions.
The driver of the semi was taken to Newman Regional Health with what are being called non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for further details and information as it becomes avaialble.
