The northbound lane of the N.C. Highway 86 bridge over Interstate 85 in Hillsborough will likely be closed for several weeks for repairs, according to a release from the town government. A steel support for the bridge under the northbound lane was damaged in an accident on May 31, when a tractor trailer carrying construction equipment struck it.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has determined that the southbound lane is safe, but the bridge will remain closed to northbound traffic while repairs are taking place. The NCDOT estimates repairs will be completed on June 30. In the meantime, a signed detour will direct motorists to use I-85 North to exit 170, then travel on I-85 South to exit 165.
This is not the first time the N.C. 86 bridge has sustained damage from an accident in the past year. In September of 2022, a tractor trailer crashed into the bridge and caught fire, which caused the bridge to close for several days while repairs were made.
Featured image via Google Maps
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