Huge section of I-85 in Atlanta collapses, delays to continue for months
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The fire was reported around 6:30 p.m. local time when a fire crew returning from an unrelated call spotted flames shooting some 40 feet in the air from beneath the underpass in DeKalb County north of Atlanta. The flames became so intense an entire section of the bridge collapsed.
There were no injuries, but police closed both directions of the heavily traveled thoroughfare and it will remain that way for the foreseeable future.
The fire caused massive traffic delays Thursday and are expected to snarl traffic until repaired. The section of highway is already subject to heavy rush hour commutes.
The Georgia Department of Transportation said upwards of 250,000 vehicles drive on that section of I-85, a major north-south route through the southeastern United States. ■