NCDOT Fines I-77 Mobility Partners $3.2 Million For Dump Truck Accident
The Latest:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has fined I-77 Mobility Partners $3.2 million after a dump truck accident shut down I-77 northbound last month.
In a letter to I-77 Mobility Partners, the NCDOT said that they were withholding $3.2 million in liquidated damages on future payments until the full amount is withheld, citing an “Unavailability Event” on August 29th, 2018 at mile marker 12 on northbound I-77.
On August 29th a dump truck driver, identified as Richard McFarlan, left his truck bed raised after dumping a load near LaSalle Street. The truck bed struck a bridge that was under construction, which caused all northbound lanes to be closed until passage under the damaged structure was safe.
The NCDOT says the highway shut down lasted from approximately 11 a.m. until 6:50 p.m., which was a violation of permitted road closure times specified in the Contract of Technical Provisions.
According to the NCDOT, road closures are only allowed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m., Monday through Sunday.
The Latest:
Police say they have cited the driver of the dump truck that collided with a bridge on I-77, on Wednesday.
Richard McFarlan was cited for Careless and Reckless Driving after his raised truck bed struck an overpass on I-77 near the I-85 intersection in Charlotte, causing significant delays on I-77 Wednesday night.
You can watch the video below.
Original Story:
CHARLOTTE, NC — The northbound lanes of I-77 just before the I-85 exit have reopened following an earlier accident involving a dump truck and a bridge.
The area was reopened shortly after 8pm, but NCDOT says the lanes will once again close at 11pm and remain closed until 5am Thursday. That closure was scheduled to take place prior to today’s accident.
A video sent to WCCB courtesy of Lester Marzan shows the accident happening shortly after 11am. The dump truck is seen with a raised bed as it collides with a bridge under construction over I-77 at Lasalle Street (Exit 13).
The truck was part of the construction crews working on the I-77 toll lane project, according to an NCDOT spokesperson.
All I-77 northbound traffic will be diverted onto NC 16 north (Exit 11) to I-85 north and back onto I-77 north during the closure. Drivers should expect delays in the area.
