Truck Crash Damages Bridge Over Mass Pike In Newton

NEWTON, MA — Inspection crews were due to return to an overpass above the Mass Pike in Newton Thursday night after a truck crash hours earlier damaged part of the bridge, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) said.

The crash took place before 10 a.m. on the eastbound side of the Mass Pike at Auburn Street in Newton on Thursday when State Police said a truck with a pneumatic lift in a raised position struck the Auburn Street bridge. Police said the collision completely sheered the lift off the truck, leaving it wedged between the bridge and the Mass Pike roadway.

Photos from the scene also showed additional debris scattered in the area.

Police said injuries linked to the crash were minor. Left and right lanes on the eastbound side of the Mass Pike were initially closed following the accident, though.

While the left lane had reopened as of 12 p.m., crews were still in place in the breakdown lane and right lane in the area through much of the afternoon for necessary bridge inspection work, according to the State Police.

The Auburn Street overpass itself was also closed to vehicle traffic Thursday morning. It had reopened as of Thursday night.

MassDOT said this incident damaged a beam on the overpass. Crews scheduled to be back on scene overnight, officials said, would assess what kind of long-term repairs may be needed.

UPDATE-Right lane and BDL of Pike under Auburn St. Bridge in #Newton remain closed for inspection/repairs. Bridge is closed to traffic until work is completed. Bridge was hit by a truck with a pneumatic lift for a dumpster. Lift was in raised position, hit bridge & sheared off. https://t.co/H0T9hEFIYp pic.twitter.com/jJP4LSxlgf
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) December 29, 2022