{{short description|Collapse of a major commuter bridge in Atlanta, Georgia}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}} {{Infobox event | title = Interstate 85 bridge collapse | image = I-85 bridge repairs over Piedmont Road, April 2017.jpg | image_size = | image_upright = | image_alt = | caption = Repair work being done at the collapse site on April 9, 2017 | date = {{Start date and age|2017|3|30}} | time = {{Circa}} 6:05 p.m. [[UTC−04:00|EDT]] | location = {{jct|state=GA|I|85}} in [[Atlanta]], Georgia, United States | coordinates = {{coord|33.8136|N|84.3663|W|region:US-GA|display=inline,title}} | type = Bridge collapse | theme = | cause = Improper material storage,<ref name="NTSB" /> [[Arson]] (suspected)<ref name="ajc3custody">{{cite news |url = http://news.blog.ajc.com/2017/03/31/breaking-3-in-custody-in-connection-with-i-85-fire-bridge-collapse/ |title = Breaking: 3 in Custody in Connection with I-85 Fire, Bridge Collapse |first = Alan |last = Judd |date = March 31, 2017 |access-date = March 31, 2017 |work = [[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170401145021/http://news.blog.ajc.com/2017/03/31/breaking-3-in-custody-in-connection-with-i-85-fire-bridge-collapse/ |archive-date = April 1, 2017 }}</ref> | first_reporter = | outcome = | reported deaths = | reported injuries = | reported property damage = Three sections of northbound I-85 and three sections of southbound I-85 were replaced }}
A massive fire collapsed an [[Interstate 85 in Georgia|Interstate 85]] (I-85) bridge in [[Atlanta]], Georgia, United States, on the evening of March 30, 2017. After the {{convert|92|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} section collapsed, I-85 was closed to traffic for 43 days between its split with [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|I-75]] and the interchange with [[Georgia State Route 400|State Route 400]] (SR 400) — approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in|0}}. Three sections of northbound I-85 and three sections of southbound I-85 were replaced at a cost of $15 million; re-opening of the interstate was on May 12.<ref name="NTSB" />
Three individuals were arrested in connection with the fire, although the charges were later dropped.<ref name="threearrests" /><ref name="ElebyDropped">{{cite news |last=King |first=Michael |date=April 11, 2018 |title=NTSB: GDOT partly at fault for I-85 Collapse |url=https://www.11alive.com/article/traffic/i-85-collapse/ntsb-gdot-partly-at-fault-for-i-85-collapse/85-537399191 |access-date=August 18, 2018 }}</ref> An [[National Transportation Safety Board|NTSB]] report determined that the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] contributed to the incident by unsafely storing materials under the bridge.<ref name="NTSB" />
== Events == On March 30, 2017, a massive fire collapsed a section of the [[Interstate 85 in Georgia|I-85]] freeway [[viaduct]] in [[Atlanta]], Georgia, stranding motorists for miles during rush hour traffic. The fire under the viaduct was allegedly "maliciously set" by a group of three individuals.<ref name="arsoncharge">{{cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/04/01/3-face-charges-in-maliciously-set-fire-that-collapsed-part-of-interstate-85-in-atlanta/ |title = 3 Charged in 'Maliciously Set' Atlanta Highway Fire May Have Been Smoking Crack |first = Cleve R. Jr. |last = Wootson |date = April 1, 2017 |access-date = April 2, 2017 |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170402165632/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2017/04/01/3-face-charges-in-maliciously-set-fire-that-collapsed-part-of-interstate-85-in-atlanta/ |archive-date = April 2, 2017 }}</ref> The area of the collapse was over [[Georgia State Route 237|SR 237]] (Piedmont Road) in the [[Piedmont Heights, Atlanta|Piedmont Heights]] neighborhood north of [[Midtown Atlanta]]. Atlanta Mayor [[Kasim Reed]] described the situation as a "transportation crisis" and Georgia Governor [[Nathan Deal]] declared a state of emergency.<ref name="georgiacollapse">{{cite news |url = https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bridge-collapses-atlanta-freeway-fire-during-rush-hour-n740871 |title = Bridge Collapses in Atlanta Freeway Fire During Rush Hour |first = Alex |last = Johnson |date = March 30, 2017 |access-date = March 30, 2017 |publisher = [[NBC News]] |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170331034623/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bridge-collapses-atlanta-freeway-fire-during-rush-hour-n740871 |archive-date = March 31, 2017 }}</ref>
The fire started at approximately 6:05 p.m. under the highway bridge, at a state-owned storage area which contained [[high-density polyethylene]] (HDPE) and [[fiberglass]] tubing. The heat from the fire caused the collapse of a {{convert|92|ft|m|adj=on}} section of I-85 northbound at 7:14 p.m.<ref name="NTSB">{{Citation| url = https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HAB1802.pdf| title = Fire Damage to Bridge and Subsequent Collapse, Atlanta, Georgia, March 30, 2017| access-date = August 18, 2018| publisher = [[National Transportation Safety Board]]| year = 2018| author = NTSB| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180818211755/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/HAB1802.pdf| archive-date = August 18, 2018}}</ref> Fire crews had the blaze under control by 8:00 p.m.<ref name="11alive"/> No injuries were reported in the incident, and officials were credited with preventing casualties by stopping traffic and turning away onlookers.<ref name="arsoncharge" />
== Repairs and detours == GDOT officials announced on April 4, 2017, that repairs could be completed by mid-June 2017.<ref name="elliot">{{cite news |last=Elliot |first=Richard |date=April 4, 2017 |title=Completion of Collapsed I-85 Could Be Completed by Mid-June |publisher=WSB-TV |location=Atlanta, GA |url=http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gdot-completion-of-i-85-bridge-should-be-done-by-mid-june/508955437 |url-status=live |access-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404234411/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/gdot-completion-of-i-85-bridge-should-be-done-by-mid-june/508955437 |archive-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref> Traffic was diverted to [[Interstate 75 in Georgia|I-75]], [[Interstate 285 (Georgia)|I-285]], and [[Georgia State Route 400|SR 400]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 31, 2017 |title=One Day Later, We Still Don't Know What Caused Atlanta's I-85 Bridge Fire |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/03/31/what-we-know--85-collapse-atlanta-and-how-detour-around-damages/99862628/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404025006/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/03/31/what-we-know--85-collapse-atlanta-and-how-detour-around-damages/99862628/ |archive-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref> In an effort to speed completion, up to $3 million in incentive payments were authorized for the contractor, C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, which completed work by May 12, when northbound lanes of the bridge reopened.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wickert |first=David |date=May 12, 2017 |title=I-85 Northbound Lanes Reopen in Atlanta |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/local/northbound-lanes-reopen-atlanta/8FJkU2X75t8tMILwkkOuUM/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513041741/http://www.ajc.com/news/local/northbound-lanes-reopen-atlanta/8FJkU2X75t8tMILwkkOuUM/ |archive-date=May 13, 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, a fence was built under the viaduct at the collapse site.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Habersham |first=Raisa |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Fence built around I-85 bridge collapse site to prevent trespassing |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/fence-built-around-bridge-collapse-site-prevent-trespassing/6or8rnrdGlTUfT32mDsyaL/ |access-date=September 5, 2017 |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>
== Aftermath == The highway was closed for an extended period of time.<ref name="11alive">{{cite news |last = Buchanan |first = Christopher |title = Portion of I-85 Collapses in Massive Fire |publisher = [[WXIA-TV]] |location = Atlanta, GA |date = March 30, 2017 |url = http://www.11alive.com/news/massive-fire-burning-under-i-85-in-atlanta/426986746 |access-date = March 30, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<!--source at URL has been changed by publisher since it was accessed--></ref> Terrorism or foul play was not immediately suspected.<ref name="georgiacollapse"/> It was thought that other sections of the bridge may have been compromised from the heat of the fire.<ref name="other">{{cite news |url = http://www.ajc.com/news/traffic/collapses-after-massive-fire-the-entire-bridge-compromised/FRzANVZ9vgyWW2WZfyN6jI/ |title = I-85 Collapses After Massive Fire: 'The Entire Bridge Is Compromised' |first1 = Ellen |last1 = Eldridge |first2 = Raisa |last2 = Habersham |work = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date = March 31, 2017 |access-date = March 31, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170331075541/http://www.ajc.com/news/traffic/collapses-after-massive-fire-the-entire-bridge-compromised/FRzANVZ9vgyWW2WZfyN6jI/ |archive-date = March 31, 2017 }}</ref> Inspections of the bridge prior to the fire had revealed that the deck and superstructure were in good condition. Traffic data showed that both directions at a nearby point on I-85 carried nearly a quarter million vehicles a day in 2015.<ref name="inspection">{{cite news |url = http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/last-inspection-on-i-85-bridge-that-collapsed-given-high-marks/507678874 |title = Last Inspection on I-85 Bridge that Collapsed Given Good Marks |first = Jennifer |last = Peebles |location = Atlanta, GA |publisher = [[WSB-TV]] |date = March 31, 2017 |access-date = March 31, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170331143436/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/last-inspection-on-i-85-bridge-that-collapsed-given-high-marks/507678874 |archive-date = March 31, 2017 }}</ref>
The [[Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority]] (MARTA) announced an extension of service in response to the incident.<ref name="georgiacollapse"/> MARTA general manager Keith Parker reported ridership spiked by 25% the day following the collapse.<ref>{{cite news |last1 = Belcher |first1 = Richard |title = MARTA Faces New Trial with I-85 Bridge Collapse |url = http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/marta-faces-new-trial-with-i-85-bridge-collapse/508378082 |access-date = April 7, 2017 |publisher = WSB-TV |location = Atlanta, GA |date = April 3, 2017 |ref = MartaTrial |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170408082901/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/marta-faces-new-trial-with-i-85-bridge-collapse/508378082 |archive-date = April 8, 2017 }}</ref> Three sections on the southbound side of the bridge, which did not collapse, also had to be replaced.<ref name="NTSB"/> The incident had a devastating effect on many area businesses, one of which reported a 90% decrease in traffic, seeing only three to four customers for the remainder of the day of the fire and the day following.<ref name="businessimpact">{{cite news |url = http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/businesses-find-creative-ways-to-operate-amid-i-85-collapse/508208065 |title = Business Owners Concerned About 'Devastating' Impact of I-85 Collapse |first = Nicole |last = Carr |date = April 1, 2017 |access-date = April 3, 2017 |location = Atlanta, GA |publisher = WSB-TV |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170402062211/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/businesses-find-creative-ways-to-operate-amid-i-85-collapse/508208065 |archive-date = April 2, 2017 }}</ref>
Two weeks after the bridge collapse, President [[Donald Trump]] met with first responders from the incident, commending them for preventing casualties. Trump agreed to send $10 million to Georgia to assist in cleanup and repair efforts.<ref>{{cite news |first = Tamar |last = Hallerman |date = April 13, 2017 |url = http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2017/04/13/trump-to-i-85-heroes-whos-the-bravest/ |title = Trump Meets with First Responders from Atlanta's I-85 Bridge Collapse |department = Political Insider |work = The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date = November 6, 2017 |archive-date = November 7, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107061134/http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2017/04/13/trump-to-i-85-heroes-whos-the-bravest/ |url-status = dead }}</ref>
== Arrests and prosecutions == On March 31, officials arrested and charged three individuals in connection with the incident. Basil Eleby was charged with criminal trespass and first-degree criminal damage to property for setting the fire, and two others were charged with criminal trespass for being present when the fire started.<ref name="threearrests">{{cite news |url = http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/3-charged-in-connection-with-fire-that-led-to-i-85-collapse/507974468 |title = Bridge Collapse: 3 Charged in Connection with I-85 Fire |first = Mark |last = Winne |date = March 31, 2017 |access-date = March 31, 2017 |location = Atlanta, GA |publisher = WSB-TV |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170401055035/http://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/3-charged-in-connection-with-fire-that-led-to-i-85-collapse/507974468 |archive-date = April 1, 2017 }}</ref> All three were believed to be homeless, though it was unclear whether they lived underneath the highway. The three were interrogated and taken to Fulton County jail, with the possibility of additional or upgraded charges as more evidence was developed.<ref name="ajc3custody" /> The charges against Eleby were later upgraded to first-degree arson, with his bail set at $200,000. An arrest affidavit indicated the three suspects went under the bridge to smoke [[crack cocaine|crack]]. Eleby denied setting the fire, but one of the others arrested said he watched Eleby put a chair on top of a shopping cart near some fiber optic wire stored in PVC pipes, and set the chair on fire.<ref name="arsoncharge"/> Eleby appeared in court on August 14, 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/273731858-story |title = Man Charged in I-85 Bridge Collapse Appears in Court |date = August 14, 2017 |location = Atlanta, GA |publisher = [[WAGA-TV]] |access-date = September 5, 2017 |language = en-US |archive-date = September 5, 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170905191941/http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/273731858-story |url-status = dead }}</ref> Prosecutors agreed to drop the arson charges if Eleby completed an 18-month mental health and sobriety program, which he successfully completed on February 28, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/man-accused-bridge-fire-graduates-from-treatment-program/Jt7IUvjFuFWiNYsVH7WdRM/ |title=Man accused of I-85 bridge fire graduates from treatment program |first=Ben |last=Brasch |date=March 1, 2020 |location=Atlanta, GA |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=January 15, 2021}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Transport|Engineering}} * [[List of bridge failures]] * [[2023 Interstate 95 bridge collapse]] – a similar incident in 2023 in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
== References == {{reflist|30em}}
== External links == *[https://www.google.com/maps/@33.8139678,-84.366289,3a,75y,109.76h,90t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-AR4iDwKf8lI%2FWPOyS21Q2qI%2FAAAAAAAACZM%2FEV8EdnnklVEUM38XPUYpmnWUR3IKtMIfQCLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F-AR4iDwKf8lI%2FWPOyS21Q2qI%2FAAAAAAAACZM%2FEV8EdnnklVEUM38XPUYpmnWUR3IKtMIfQCLIB%2Fw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya33.38258-ro-0-fo100%2F!7i8704!8i4352?hl=en Repair progress on April 16, 2017] on Google Maps Street View
{{Atlanta history}} {{United States bridge disasters}}
[[Category:2017 in Georgia (U.S. state)]] [[Category:2017 road incidents]] [[Category:2017 in Atlanta]] [[Category:Arson in Georgia (U.S. state)]] [[Category:Bridge disasters caused by fire]] [[Category:Bridge disasters in the United States]] [[Category:Interstate 85|Bridge collapse]] [[Category:March 2017 crimes in the United States]] [[Category:Midtown Atlanta]] [[Category:Disasters in Metro Atlanta]] [[Category:2017 fires in the United States]] [[Category:Arson in 2017]] [[Category:Building and structure collapses in 2017]] [[Category:Fires in Atlanta]]