Bridge collapses on I-75 in Chattanooga; TDOT reopens lanes hours later

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Interstate 75 was closed in both directions in Chattanooga on Monday after part of a bridge collapsed onto the roadway below.

[PHOTOS: Bridge collapses on I-75 in Chattanooga]

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials say a concrete barrier at the I-24/I-75 split fell from the I-75 south bridge onto I-75 north below a little before noon Monday.

[RELATED: 2 years ago, a massive fire caused I-85 bridge to collapse]

A driver who couldn't stop in time crashed into the concrete. The driver of that car has non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.

"There was an injury, but it was not a life-threatening injury and we're glad about that," said Jennifer Flynn with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Troopers and police escorted equipment to the scene so roadways could be back open by Monday night. Officials urged drivers to use alternate routes.

According to our ABC sister station WTVC-News Channel 9 in Chattanooga, TDOT has since reopened all lanes of the I-75 northbound ramp that merges onto I-24 westbound. TDOT said only one lane of I-75 southbound will be open until repairs are made.

The interchange is one of the busiest in the Southeast and was constructed in the late '50s. The overpass passed its inspection, but some say it's one of the worst interchanges in the state.

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"We do have a contract to redo the interchange in the near future," Flynn said.

According to TDOT officials, the bridge was last inspected in 2018.

[RELATED: GDOT implements new policies in light of I-85 bridge collapse investigation]

Repair work will take weeks.

Cox Media Group