The North Carolina Highway 86 overpass of Interstate 85 in Hillsborough is continuing its repairs this week, with a closure of the bridge lasting several more days.

Nearly one week after a fatal crash of a tractor trailer truck damaged the bridge, the North Carolina Department of Transportation shared an update on repairs. Following inspections of the overpass’ integrity and early work to repair part of a damaged concrete pillar, a contractor will now begin to address damaged beams caused by the truck’s impact and resulting fire.

Contractors’ work on the bridge, however, will cause the stretch of I-85 South underneath to be closed. Weather permitting, NCDOT will close the I-85 southbound lanes near Exit 165 from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday and again from 7 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday. Additionally, any daytime work to continue repairs on the bridge’s pillar will keep the right lane of I-85 South being closed.

In a release, the state Department of Transportation said a detour using the NC 86 interchange will be established for motorists overnight Wednesday and Thursday.

Aftermath of the fatal tractor trailer crash on Interstate 85 South on September 14. (Photo via the Orange Rural Fire Department.)

Shortly after 2:20 a.m. on September 14, the driver of a tractor trailer truck traveling southbound wrecked the vehicle. During the crash, the truck flipped and caught fire by the NC 86 overpass, ultimately killing the driver. Emergency responders shut down Interstate 85 South for several hours to clean up debris. At the same time, the NC 86 bridge — which is between the Hampton Pointe shopping center and U.S. Business 70 in Hillsborough — was closed to investigate its structural integrity.

As of Tuesday, NCDOT officials said they project the NC 86 overpass to reopen late this week or early next week.

 

Photo via Google Maps.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
Overnight Repairs Scheduled for N.C. 86 Bridge in Hillsborough
Contractors from the North Carolina Department of Transportation are planning for overnight closures along a section of Interstate 85 in Hillsborough to repair the North Carolina Highway 86 bridge. The southbound lanes of the interstate are set to close at Exit 165 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting on Saturday, June 17. According to […]
Closure of N.C. Highway 86 Bridge in Orange County Extended; Mar. 13 Reopening Targeted
UPDATE: The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued an update on Wednesday, March 11 saying the work on the bridge of North Carolina Highway 86 over Interstate 85 in Hillsborough was not completed within the original timeline. Overnight work has now been extended to last through 6 a.m. on Friday, March 13, weather permitting. This […]
Pair of Crashes Cause Significant Traffic, Emergency Responses in Orange County on Friday
As people are starting their travels for the Labor Day weekend, those around Hillsborough are experiencing significant traffic delays from separate crashes. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office alerted drivers to a crash along Interstate 85 near the county line with Durham just before 1 p.m. on Friday, sharing an aerial photo of a tractor trailer […]
I-85 Reopens After Fatal Tractor Trailer Crash; NC 86 Remains Closed for Overpass Damage
UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect the latest details on the reopening of Interstate 85 and closure of North Carolina Highway 86. A fiery crash along Interstate 85 near Hillsborough killed the driver of a tractor trailer truck in the early morning hours of Wednesday, causing the interstate to be closed for several […]
Road Closures For Repairs In Hillsborough And Carrboro Begin Monday, Mar. 23
Starting Monday, Mar. 23, sections of Hillsborough’s Governor Burke Road and Carrboro’s E. Popular Avenue and Roberson Street will be closed as crews conduct repairs. 
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Early Road Conditions Poor on Sunday Following Snow Storm
Following Saturday's snowfall in the Triangle on Saturday, law enforcement and government agencies are updating road conditions on Sunday.
NCDOT Closing Exit Ramp on Interstate 85 for 2 Days Beginning Jan. 20
Contractors with the North Carolina Department of Transportation will be closing the Exit 163 ramp in Orange County connecting Interstate 85 South to Interstate 40 East for drainage work, weather permitting. The closure is expected to begin Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4 a.m., with a scheduled reopening time of 4 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. During […]
Work on I-40 Widening Project Set to Close Lanes, Exit Ramps Overnight in Hillsborough
The ongoing work to widen I-40 in Orange County is set to disrupt overnight traffic patterns for the rest of the week, according to NCDOT.
NCDOT: Overnight Bridge Demolition for I-40 Widening Project Will Close Old NC 86
A old bridge of I-40 in Hillsborough is set to be demolished as the state Department of Transportation continues widening in Orange County.
NCDOT: Bridge Work on I-40, Old NC 86 Means Overnight Closures in Orange County
The latest batch of overnight closures for Interstate 40 and Old N.C. 86 in Orange County are set to happen this week, according to an alert from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
›