1 dead after 3 construction workers rescued from river after bridge collapse

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — One construction worker has died and two others suffered serious injuries after part of a bridge collapsed in Newton County.

A part of the Frontage Road Bridge collapsed as construction workers were dismantling the bridge Tuesday afternoon.

The Georgia Department of Transportation officials say the subcontractors were beginning the sawing and demolition on the first of four bridge spans on the Access Road replacement project near I-20 Exit 88.

Three workers from B & D Concrete Cutting Inc. then fell in the Yellow River below but were quickly rescued and given medical attention for their injuries.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed one person died. None of the workers have been identified.

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Channel 2′s Matt Johnson watched as crews worked overnight using a 500-ton crane to remove the submerged equipment and debris out of the river. The work is expected to be finished at some point Wednesday.

The access road was already closed to traffic at the time of the collapse, and will remain closed.

The project planning has been going on for at least four years, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation and county documents.

The plan was not only to replace the bridge but make other improvements in the area due to a high number of car crashes reported.

The construction in the area was expected to last approximately nine months. The future of the project right now is unknown.

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