Damaged I-93 Overpass To Close For Six Weeks Of Repairs

CONCORD -- The Interstate 93 bridge damaged during a dump truck collision last week will undergo six weeks of repairs starting Monday that will include the closure of Exit 17 East.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that work will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will also require the closure of a southbound lane on I-93. Exit 17 East will be closed with traffic diverted to the Exit 17 West off ramp. Those looking to go east on Route 4 will have to reverse direction at the roundabout in Boscawen.

New Hampshire State Police charged the driver of the truck with negligent driving after the dump body of his truck struck the overpass, forcing a highway closure for hours last Thursday.

Police say Joseph Brady, 57, of Conway, was driving with the body of the truck in the lifted position and struck the Hoit Road Bridge at Exit 17. The scattered debris on the highway forced drivers who followed to swerve into accidents.

Those drivers were taken to Concord Hospital as a precaution. State Police said there were no serious injuries.

The highway was completely shut down for more than five hours while crews cleaned up the scene and assessed damage to the bridge.