The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation wants to collect $400,000 from a truck driver’s insurance company after he struck an overpass on Route 30 in York County, earlier this week.
On Monday night, 47-year-old Michael Miranda hit the Burgs Lane Overpass with a backhoe he was hauling on his 2014 Peterbilt tractor trailer.
The accident caused damage to one of the bridge’s beams, which resulted in the closure of a 10-mile stretch of eastbound Route 30. The highway was closed for 4 days while repairs were being made, causing delays for tens of thousands of commuters.
Now PennDOT is looking to recoup their losses to the tune of $400,000.
PennDOT spokesman Greg Penny said the cost to remove the damaged beam was $200,000. A second project, to put in a new beam and make additional repairs is slated for spring 2016 and is expected to cost an additional $200,000.
“When we receive the police report for Monday night’s collision with the bridge, it is our intent to bill the insurance company for the driver’s company for the costs incurred to remove the beam and also to fix the bridge,” Penny said.
As of Friday, Miranda has not been charged in connection with the accident. Police chief Mark Sowers says if the driver is charged, it will likely be for violating height requirements.
According to Lancaster Online, no one was injured in the accident.