Northeast
Historic covered bridge closed after truck falls through, creating gaping hole
A historic covered bridge in Maine is closed after an “overweight dump truck” fell through, creating a gaping hole, officials said.
It happened on Babb’s Bridge between Gorham and Windham on Friday afternoon, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) said on Facebook. The bridge is expected to be closed for months, a press release states.
The Gorham Police Department shared photos of the crash scene on Facebook to alert the public to find an alternate route.
“The excessive weight of the vehicle caused the wooden floor of the bridge structure to give way,” the Facebook post said.
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![Gaping hole in Maine covered bridge](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Historic-covered-bridge-closed-after-truck-falls-through-creating-gaping.jpg)
Officials said the overweight truck was crossing from Gorham into Windham, Maine, at the time of the crash into the water. (Gorham Police Department)
“The driver should be made to pay for repairing the bridge, it was not designed for large commercial vehicals,” one Facebook user commented on the police department’s post.
MaineDOT says the bridge, which is the state’s oldest – originally built in 1840 – has a posted weight limit of three tons. Police said the dump truck was loaded with crushed gravel, causing MaineDOT to say the truck that caused the damage was likely “several times the posted weight limit.”
It was determined the truck entered the bridge from the Gorham side before falling through the first panel of the bridge deck into the river below.
Babb’s Bridge is a single-lane, state-owned structure that spans the Presumpscot River. MaineDOT says about 360 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
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![Truck in Presumpscot River](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724631136_682_Historic-covered-bridge-closed-after-truck-falls-through-creating-gaping.jpg)
The truck, which has been identified by local news as a Ford F750, can be seen in the Presumpscot River. (Gorham Police Department)
The bridge has seen its share of troubles. After being burned by vandals in 1973, MaineDOT crews rebuilt an exact replica that opened in 1976. Vandals again struck in 2014, cutting holes in the bridge’s roof. In 2015, the bridge was damaged by a snow plow.
The bridge is inspected by state officials at least every two years. Its last inspection was at the end of last month, MaineDOT said. The three-ton weight limit was posted on the bridge in 1983 and has not changed since then.
![Babb's Bridge](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724631136_190_Historic-covered-bridge-closed-after-truck-falls-through-creating-gaping.jpg)
Babb’s Bridge was originally built in 1840, but now stands as a replica that was completed in 1976. (Maine Department of Transportation)
The truck driver was identified as Joshua Polewarzyk, 37, of Limington. He was driving a Ford F750, local TV station WMTW reports. He was able to get out of the truck, and suffered minor injuries. When the truck was pulled from the river, the logo of an asphalt contractor named The Driveway Guys was spotted on its side.
“The last time this bridge was damaged, they considered closing it to vehicles and only allowing pedestrian traffic,” a local wrote on the police department’s post. “I hope this doesn’t push that agenda again. This is about a mile from my house and I go this way about 60% of the time.”
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Boston, MA
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Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Steelers lose promising offensive tackle for several weeks with foot injury
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The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without offensive tackle Dylan Cook for several weeks with a foot injury, ESPN first reported. Cook was seen in a boot following the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills and did not practice the entire week. He missed the final preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
Cook confirmed to PennLive that he would miss time with the injury on Wednesday. Now, that is seemingly confirmed as several weeks, which means Cook is a prime candidate to go on injured reserve to start the campaign.
The Steelers’ fourth tackle, Cook will likely be designated to return from injured reserve on cut-down day, meaning he will not have to be on the initial 53-man roster. That is a new rule created by the NFL this season, and each team can place two places on injured reserve and designate them to return. Cook would have to miss at least four weeks if that is the path the Steelers take.
As for the tackle position, this is another injury to that room for the Steelers. Troy Fautanu has an MCL sprain, and Broderick Jones is bothered by his elbow. Pittsburgh could look outside the organization to add someone to the offensive line, whether at backup center or tackle, to help with the injury issues. Regardless, Cook is someone who can play four spots and losing him hurts the Steelers’ depth across the board.
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