WEST FARGO, N.D. - The driver of a semitrailer that damaged an Interstate 94 overpass near Casselton has been fined $100 for violating his state-issued travel permit.
David Wharton, 37, of Whitehouse, Texas, was supposed to be driving on a Cass County road that runs parallel to I-94, according to the route designated on his oversize load permit, Highway Patrol Sgt. Troy Hischer said.
Wharton was westbound on I-94 Saturday morning when a wind tower column he was hauling hit the underside of the overpass, damaging it and causing chunks of concrete to fall onto the interstate. At least nine vehicles were damaged by the debris, the patrol said.
State bridge inspectors visited the site Monday and decided to keep the overpass closed until the damage can be further evaluated, department spokeswoman Peggy Anderson said.
The overpass does not have interstate ramps. It has a county gravel road atop it that the patrol said is not heavily traveled.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wharton was driving for American Transport Inc. of Pittsburgh. The firm is insured, Safety Manager Ed Anderson said. He said the company was still investigating the incident.
