One Route 128 South Lane Reopened After Danvers Bridge Strike

DANVERS, MA — Route 128 South in Danvers was shut down Tuesday afternoon for more than hours due to a truck strike into an overpass near Endicott Street.

All travel lanes were shut down and diverted onto Exit 24 at Endicott Street shortly after 1 p.m. Traffic was quickly jammed in both directions approaching the scene.

Massachusetts Police spokesman Dustin Fitch said the driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The highway remained shut down for more than three hours before one lane southbound reopened. Traffic backed up nearly four miles into Beverly southbound with curiosity delays northbound.

#MATraffic - #Danvers - Rte 128 SB at Exit 24 (Endicott St). A truck struck the overpass. All travel lanes shut down and diverted to Endicott St. Traffic is jammed approaching the scene.
— WBZ Traffic (@WBZTraffic) November 24, 2020

Traffic going over the bridge was halted so damage could be assessed.

#MAtraffic All traffic on Rte 128 SB in #Danvers, detoured off at Endicott Street (x.24) due to truck striking overpass. @MassDOT on scene inspecting. pic.twitter.com/RNljQgWX3q
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 24, 2020

As of 2:15 p.m., southbound traffic was backed up three miles with it taking 20 minutes to get from Beverly to Exit 24. Northbound traffic was backed up to Lowell Street in Peabody with the exit to Endicott Street on Route 128 North closed.

Local roads Purchase Street, Conant Street, Route 62 and Sylvan Street were all also jammed throughout the afternoon.

Traffic Advisory The 128 overpass off Endicott St. has sustained damage. MassDOT is on the scene inspecting and traffic is being detoured. Drivers are advised to try to avoid the area as traffic is increasing.#danversma #trafficadvisory pic.twitter.com/CPv5Jyobvw
— Town of Danvers (@TownofDanvers) November 24, 2020

Massachusetts State Police said cleanup began about 2:30 p.m.

#MAtraffic update: Cleanup underway on Rte 128 SB in #Danvers. Heavy delays due to detour. Avoid area if possible. https://t.co/4efl8kBu4S pic.twitter.com/R1vYkRIK2y
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) November 24, 2020