The accident occurred in the northbound lane of Interstate 35 at the intersection of Southwest Loop 363, shutting down traffic for hours.
Ken Roberts, Waco District spokesman with TxDOT, said compensation for the damage would include a replacement girder estimated at $200,000 plus labor costs involved with the repair. Labor costs are unknown, he said.
Art Thompson, a spokesman for Knife River, confirmed the company’s insurance carrier is involved in discussions with TxDOT.
“We did our own accident investigation through our insurance carrier,” Thompson said. “It was my understanding our carrier and TxDOT are working through discussions on responsibility for damages. We’re still waiting on the final investigation report from our insurance company.”
He said until the investigation is complete he could not elaborate further on the negotiations. He did not name the insurance company.
“We regret the accident caused delays to the traveling public,” he said. “And we’re thankful no one was injured.”
The truck driver was issued a Class C citation for disregard of a traffic control device from the Temple Police Department. The company received a citation from the Department of Public Safety for being overheight, according to reports.
Referring to the driver, Thompson said it is not the company’s practice to comment on disciplinary actions regarding employees.
Roberts said there was no timeline yet when negotiations would be complete, but repairs to the bridge would begin as soon as possible.
He said once work begins to remove the damaged beam and set the new beam the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 could be closed for possibly a 12-hour overnight period. If needed, the southbound lane could be closed also, he said.
In mid-June the new overpass beams were placed during two overnight periods with both northbound and southbound interstate traffic diverted onto the access roads.
The damaged overpass, which is not in use yet, will replace the current overpass, which was only slightly damaged in the accident and is still in use.
The $69 million TxDOT construction project will widen and lower Interstate 35 in the area, create a stoplight-controlled overpass for access road traffic and a third level for free-flowing loop traffic.
Currently, stoplights control loop and access road traffic at the interchange, causing a continual backup of traffic on the loop.
TxDOT officials are estimating the project, which began in 2006, will be completed by fall 2009.
rstinson@temple-telegram.com
