Bridge Reopens With Severe Restrictions After Thruway Truck Crash

CORRECTION — After impact and the load shifted and was forced down into the floor of the flatbed, the cargo measured 13’11, which was still determined to be over height, New York State Police said Wednesday. The previous height of the truck listed as 17’6" was posted in error due to malfunctioning measuring equipment, NYSP officials said.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The South Broadway overpass, damaged Thursday by a tractor-trailer with a load higher than the New York State Thruway's limits, opened Friday morning with severe restrictions.

Out of an abundance of caution, the bridge will be reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic, Thruway Authority officials said. This traffic pattern will remain in place until permanent repairs can be made.

Also, no trucks will be allowed on the overpass until further notice, Orangetown town officials said on Facebook.

Detours will be posted.

The crash at 4:45 a.m. closed multiple lanes on the southbound side of the Thruway for 12 hours, causing massive traffic back-ups during what travel organization AAA said was the busiest drive time over the long Labor Day weekend — Thursday afternoon.

The bridge was built in 1953 and is 230 feet long. Two of its eight girders were badly damaged. The truck also hit an old digital lane control sign.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Ivan N. Varava, 39, of Hollywood, Florida, was traveling south when the large steel tower he was transporting struck the overpass causing significant structural damage, New York State police said. The clearance for the overpass is 14'1" and the tractor trailer was determined to be oversized in height measuring 17'6."

Varava, who was transported to Nyack Hospital for evaluation, was driving for the company San Trans Inc out of Bartlett, Illinois, and did not have a permit to transport the oversized load on the Thruway. He was issued multiple traffic tickets for violating Thruway Rules and Regulations.

State Police would like to emphasize that the maximum allowable height on the Thruway is 13 feet, 6 inches and is strictly enforced.

SEE ALSO: 'Significant' Delays Persist After Truck Hits Overpass On I-87