UPDATE: TCH reopens to one lane of alternating traffic at Southwest River Bridge
The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure NL confirms that the TCH at the Southwest River Bridge is now reopened to one lane of alternating traffic. Motorists can continue to anticipate delays in the area for the foreseeable future, as crews assess and repair the damage at the scene.
Clarenville RCMP are investigating a single-vehicle crash involving a commercial tractor tanker trailer unit on Monday that resulted in significant damages to the Southwest River bridge west of Clarenville.
At approximately 11:43 a.m. on Jan. 19, police responded to a single vehicle crash on the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) between Port Blandford and the Bonavista Highway junction. The crash caused extensive damage to the South West River bridge, as the trailer separated from its tractor and landed in the river below.
The driver of the vehicle sustained what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries. He was transported by NL Health Services emergency medical services personnel to Dr. G.B. Cross Memorial Hospital in Clarenville for medical assessment and treatment.
A second commercial vehicle collided with debris on the bridge deck after the crash, but that driver was not injured.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.