JONESBORO -- Both northbound lanes of Interstate 555 in Jonesboro opened early Wednesday after state Highway and Transportation Department workers determined an overpass struck by a tractor-trailer Tuesday was stable, said department spokesman Danny Straessle.
Highway officials closed a section of Interstate 555 on Tuesday morning when a tractor-trailer ran off the roadway and damaged four of the Harrisburg Road overpass supports.
Jackie Becker, 57, of Jonesboro was killed in the crash. State police are investigating the cause.
The truck, which was traveling from Memphis to Kansas City, Mo., struck the supports about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday and burst into flames.
Police spokesman Paul Holmes said the tandem-trailer was carrying general merchandise and there were no hazardous materials inside it.
Straessle said one column was destroyed and two others received heavy damage. A fourth support column suffered from "spalling," or flaking and popping of concrete when moisture inside the column is heated by fire.
Highway officials rerouted traffic off the interstate at Exit 44 and then back onto the interstate on an on-ramp just past the Harrisburg overpass.
Officials also closed the overpass when inspectors noticed it sagging due to damage.
Straessle said the Harrisburg Road overpass, which sees about 10,000 cars daily, will remain closed indefinitely.
State Desk on 06/29/2017