I-95 reopens 10 hours after logging truck hit, damaged Cumberland bridges

The N.C. Highway 82 bridge near Godwin sustained the most damage, prompting the state Department of Transportation to close it and force I-95 traffic to go around it so crews could repair the damage.

"We're framing up and putting some materials to keep from getting any more loss as far as structurally," said Darren Pittman, a DOT bridge engineer.

The other three bridges, all within a 5-mile stretch of I-95, sustained minor damage, Pittman said, but some repairs were required on each.

The detours caused extensive backups on northbound I-95 through Friday afternoon and evening.

"Our Waze took us around the traffic, so we never hit the traffic, and then it took us this way, but we can't get through," said Princess Frederick, who was heading to New York and, like many other drivers, was stymied by the closed N.C. 82 bridge as well as the I-95 backlog.

Pittman said the N.C. 82 bridge will be closed for at least a month so crews can continue to assess its structural integrity. The bridge, which is more than 50 years old, is scheduled to be replaced in a few years.

The company that owns the logging truck will likely face several violations for the damage caused, he said.