INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The truck restriction on US northbound was lifted as of 4 p.m. today, according to authorities.
The outside lane of US 1 will remain closed until further notice for repairs. US 1 northbound will remain one lane until the repair is completed.
Also, Old Dixie re-opened around 6 p.m. today after the Department of Transportation bridge inspectors finished their inspection. There will be closure of Old Dixie on a later date for the bridge repair work, which most likely will be next week.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The driver that caused damage to the US 1 over pass has been charged by authorities with multiple counts, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Lawrence Vanhouten, 53, has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, over the height limit, operating commercial moving vehicle on a disqualified commercial driving license, careless driving, and other commercial moving vehicle charges, according to authorities.
The bridge will remain closed until further notice, according to FHP. The state structural engineers will inspect the bridge around Noon today.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A driver of a large truck failed to lower his vehicle’s boom hitting the US 1 overpass as he traveled northbound on Old Dixie Highway, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
Lawrence Vanhouten, 53, was driving a Volvo Rolloff truck on Old Dixie Highway and struck the US 1 Overpass causing $1.1 million damage to the truck, said FHP. Vanhouten then left the scene, taking the truck back to the company yard a half-mile away, and parking it behind a covered fence.
After the bridge was struck by the truck, debris from the bridge started to fall and caused Old Dixie to be closed until further notice, according to authorities. The northbound outside lane of US 1 was also closed for safety and a weight limit of 26,000 pounds or less was imposed on the bridge until it was deemed safe.
A community asphalt and DOT bridge inspector was on scene and deemed the bridge a hazard until the structural engineer arrives Friday and inspects the bridge, according to FHP.
The driver has not been charged as the investigation continues.
