Pedestrian Bridge Collapses Onto 295 In DC After Crash, 6 Hurt

WASHINGTON, DC — A pedestrian bridge collapsed in northeast Washington, D.C. late Wednesday morning, blocking DC-295 and leaving at least six people injured, five of whom who were taken to a local hospital with injuries, according to the D.C. Fire and EMS.

The bridge that collapsed over DC-295 connected Polk Street NE to the western side of Kenilworth Avenue NW near Douglas Street NE. Officials believe the collapse was caused by a crash that happened at 11:52 a.m. and involved multiple vehicles, including a truck.

Officials do not believe any pedestrians were on the bridge when it collapsed. None of the five people taken to hospitals had injuries that were considered life-threatening, Acting Deputy D.C. Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Christopher Geldart said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the scene of the bridge collapse.

A hazmat unit arrived at the scene to mitigate a diesel fuel leak from the truck that was partially beneath the bridge. The truck was carrying 500 gallons of diesel fuel.

About 25 gallons of fuel spilled into nearby drains, and a hazardous materials team has put down material to absorb more diesel, a D.C. Department of Energy & Environment spokesperson told NBC4.

At least one other vehicle was struck by debris, D.C. Fire and EMS said. Firefighters checked for vehicles under the collapsed bridge and reported no one was trapped.

Geldart said the bridge had a clearance of 14 feet. He said the back part of the truck carrying the diesel fuel may have been too tall to fit under the bridge.

At the news conference, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the pedestrian bridge was structurally sound and that it was last inspected in February.

U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D), who represents the neighboring 5th congressional district in Maryland, called for a greater focus on infrastructure in response to the bridge collapse.

"My thoughts are with those injured by the collapse of the pedestrian bridge in NE DC this afternoon," Hoyer said in a tweet Wednesday. "This incident reaffirms the need for robust investments in our infrastructure systems to protect our communities and ensure events like this don't happen."

The bridge fell on top of three lanes of DC-295. Debris, including slabs of concrete and metal fencing, covered the wheel of a vehicle at one end of the bridge, NBC4 reported.

Traffic backups on DC-295 after the collapse stretched for about 3 miles northbound and 1.5 miles southbound.

Geldart said the bridge debris is expected to be removed from DC-295 on Thursday, with traffic in both directions shut down. The freeway is expected to reopen on Thursday at 10 p.m.

He did not have an estimate on when the pedestrian bridge would be replaced.

The D.C. Metropolitan Police will conduct an investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse, with assistance from a variety of city agencies.

Related: Nearly 600 VA, DC Bridges Need Repair; Among 35K In Poor Shape

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