HUMBOLDT — The Georgia Road overpass crossing U.S. 169 will remain closed “for months,” said Darrin Petrowsky, an engineer with the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The overpass sustained damage in a fatality accident, when a semitruck blasted up the embankment and slammed into the support girders.
Three of five pre-stressed concrete girders were damaged from the embankment to the first pier, Petrowsky said, and must be replaced. The deck over the girders also must be replaced.
“It will probably take a month just to get the girders made,” Petrowsky said. “It will be fairly lengthy.”
In the interim, Petrowsky will meet with engineers to devise an emergency repair schedule.
Petrowsky said no cost estimates have been provided, and declined to speculate.
On Friday, KDOT announced a detour for eastbound motorists to get past the closed overpass, by heading south on Ninth Street (Old 169) through Humboldt, then east on Delaware Road, also known as Tank Farm Road, south again at 1250 St., returning to Delaware Road, and then north on 2200 Street. The detour will be marked soon.
