The Interstate 90 bridge that passes over Wyoming Highway 59 in Gillette, has sustained major damage after being struck by an oversize load this morning. The bridge on I-90 was struck from underneath as the oversize load was going under on WY-59 northbound at 10:10 a.m. this morning (Sept. 2nd).

Tony Hayworth, 43 years old from Gillette, was operating the self permitted oversize load and was hauling a John Deere excavator track hoe. The boom of the excavator had not been properly loaded and secured. The extended boom exceeded the 16 foot, 8 inch height clearance of the underpass of I-90 on WY-59 causing the boom to strike the bridge.

Traffic on I-90 eastbound on the bridge has been diverted to the left passing lane only with a reduced speed of 45 mph as WYDOT assesses the damage. No oversize traffic is being permitted over the bridge at this time.

Traffic on WY-59 has also been diverted as crews are still cleaning up debris from the bridge and assessing the damage from underneath.

Motorists are being asked to follow the reduced speed on the bridge as well as the advisory signs on both I-90 and WY-59.

 

More From KGAB