Truck payload snags support beam on Union Street bridge overpass

BDN staff reports

Posted Sept. 20, 2012, at 7:12 p.m.

Maine State Police Sgt. Jason Sattler (left) and Trooper Phil Pushard use a tape measure to assess the structural damage to the Union Street bridge overpass after a truck's forklift and steel beam frame payload heading I-95-southbound failed to completely clear the overpass around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

John Clarke Russ | BDN

A truck with Owen J. Folsom, Inc., hit the Union Street overpass around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. The impact caused possible damage to a beam and shattered PVC sheathing around utility lines (seen in photo) running under the bridge. Buy Photo

John Clarke Russ | BDN

A Bangor Water District employee and Maine Department of Transportation employees stand atop the Union Street bridge as they size up the structural damage to the bridge after a truck's forklift and steel beam frame payload heading I-95-southbound failed to completely clear the overpass around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. Buy Photo

John Clarke Russ | BDN

Maine State Trooper Phil Pushard (left) talks with Ronald Bealieu, a truck driver with Owen J. Folsom, Inc., whose forklift and steel frame payload hit the Union Street overpass around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012.

John Clarke Russ | BDN

A noticeable bow in the outside beam of the Union Street bridge can be seen above a car on I-95 southbound around noon Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. Buy Photo

BANGOR, Maine — A truck’s forklift and steel beam frame payload heading I-95-southbound failed to completely clear the Union Street bridge overpass around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The impact of the truck, driven by Ronald Bealieu of Owen J. Folsom, Inc., caused possible damage to a beam and PVC sheathing around utility lines running under the bridge. State police used a tape measure to assess the structural damage to the overpass.

“It came down through from Stillwater Avenue without a problem,” said Trooper Phil Pushard, who is part of the state police commercial vehicle unit. “It had gone under other overpasses” but hit the Union Street bridge.