Dumped dirt may have caused Delaware bridge columns to tilt
A contractor in Delaware said his company dumped a massive amount of dirt next to a heavily traveled interstate bridge, and state officials say that may have made the span unsafe for drivers.James Thomas Jr. of Wilmington said Wednesday he feels bad about the situation involving the Interstate 495 bridge but that he doesn’t understand what happened.
State officials think the large amount of dirt dumped over several years may have moved the ground and caused the bridge columns to tilt toward the pile of dirt.
The bridge was closed Monday and officials aren’t sure when it may reopen.
Delaware Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt said Thomas is working with the department to remove the dirt.
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