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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Department of Transportation said northbound lanes of Interstate 465 reopened Wednesday, only one day after a truck carrying heavy equipment heavily damaged a highway overpass on the west side of Indianapolis.
Authorities initially thought it might be days before the interstate could be reopened.
The Rockville Road bridge over I-465, which carries U.S. 36's traffic, will remain mostly closed until further notice. Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane will stay open for local access. The ramp to I-465 northbound will remain closed.
INDOT spokesman Nathan Riggs said Tuesday's collision damaged four of the bridge's 14 load-bearing girders, showering the highway with concrete chunks.
The accident prompted Indiana State Police to close nearly four miles of I-465's northbound lanes between the Interstate 70 and 10th Street interchanges.
Crews worked overnight through rain and removed the damaged girders by Wednesday morning.
The incident occurred when a car crusher being hauled by a truck activated and struck concrete beams as the load passed beneath the bridge.
Indiana State Police Capt. Dave Bursten said the car compactor was being hauled by a tractor when that machine malfunctioned and rose on its own.
Indianapolis police say six cars were damaged in the incident and one woman was hospitalized in good condition after debris from the bridge fell onto her car.
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