Officials Investigating After DC Pedestrian Bridge Collapses On Wednesday Afternoon
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Several people were injured after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in Northeast Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon.
A portion of Interstate 295 was closed in both directions, but police announced Thursday morning around 2 a.m. that all lanes are now open.
Officials said this all happened around 12:00 p.m. along Interstate 295 at Kenilworth Avenue and Polk Street. Preliminary investigation reveals the collapse may have been caused by a collision.
"I'm very grateful to all the first responders who have gotten there, gotten here very quickly," said Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
A diesel truck hat leaked about 25 gallons of fuel into nearby drains and several people suffered injuries.
"We had a collision with the bridge right here, which separated the bridge from its mooning," said Chris Geldart, Washington D.C. deputy mayor for public safety.
Five people were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"We do believe that it was caused by the collision. these are all preliminary findings right now but everything we see on the accident scene right now leads to this being a collision pulling the bridge off the moorings," said Geldart.
Chopper 13 was over the scene this afternoon showed the distorted bridge slanted on top of three lanes as crews responded to the scene and assessed the damage.
Several cars and the diesel truck could be seen crushed under the debris, slabs of concrete and metal fencing.
Bowser said a full investigation is underway and assures the public and the bridge has passed all recent inspections.
"No, we don't have any structural concerns on the bridge and it was last inspected in February," she said.
Officials estimate the road will be back open sometime tomorrow and are still asking drivers to avoid the area and to take alternative routes.
