Giant Beam In Road Shuts Down Selmon Expressway Several Hours

TAMPA, FL — The eastbound lanes of the Selmon Expressway at Willow Avenue are closed for an extended period after a 163-foot-long concrete beam transported by a tractor trailer truck fell off the trailer, hit a guardrail and may have damaged the bridge rail.

The crash occurred Monday at 12:42 p.m. as the driver was heading east in the outside lane of the Selmon Expressway, approaching Platt Street.

The inside lane was closed due to construction in the median. The width of the lane decreased as the truck entered a slight curve in the road and the 40-year-old truck driver lost control when the rear trailer slid off the roadway during the turn.

The rear trailer hit the guardrail, causing the 163-foot concrete beam to shift and fall from the rear trailer.

The guardrail was damaged and the end of the concrete beam came to rest on the bridge rail causing possible structural damage to the bridge rail, which is currently under inspection.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and no injuries were reported. Drivers should seek alternate routes.