http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/31/us/atlanta-interstate-85-fire-collapse/index.html
I-85 collapse: Major north-south artery closed as spring break travel kicks off
By Jason Hanna, Faith Karimi and Steve Almasy, CNN
Updated 1337 GMT (2137 HKT) March 31, 2017
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atlanta interstate 85 fire collapse_00002004
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Fire causes Atlanta interstate to collapse
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Story highlights
One school system cancels Friday classes
There were no fatalities, Mayor Kasim Reed says
Atlanta (CNN)Drivers in one of the world's most congested cities woke up to a jarring new reality Friday as they were forced to game out how to get around a collapsed portion of Atlanta's Interstate 85 -- one of the Southeast's major north-south arteries.
A mysterious fire collapsed an I-85 northbound overpass Thursday evening -- injuring no one -- and also damaged the southbound portion, forcing the closure of all five lanes in each direction for the foreseeable future.
The shutdown likely sets the city up for traffic nightmares for weeks to come after creating navigation hell on Thursday with jams that extended five miles or more and stranded motorists in the immediate area for hours.
I-85 collapse: By the numbers
220,000+: Estimated number of cars that drive through the stretch of I-85 per day
7 p.m. : Time the portion of Interstate 85 collapsed
40 feet: Size of the wall of fire at the interstate
The closure comes at a sensitive time for a city accustomed to gridlock -- with hordes of spring break vacationers poised to drive though the regional hub and the Atlanta Braves set to play a preseason game Friday night in their new stadium in the city's northwest corner.
"I think it's as serious a transportation crisis as we could have," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said Thursday evening.
'Fell with a big kaboom'
Flames from a massive fire that eventually led a portion of the highway to collapse are seen Thursday along Interstate 85 in Atlanta.
Flames from a massive fire that eventually led a portion of the highway to collapse are seen Thursday along Interstate 85 in Atlanta.
The fire started Thursday evening under an I-85 overpass in north-central Atlanta, north of the highway's split with I-75.
Officials said they didn't immediately know what sparked the flames, which morphed into a massive fireball. At first, I-85 motorists drove through the smoke, and firefighters fought the flames below.
Use MARTA or other commute options. If U must drive, know your alt routes b4 U go and stay up-to-date with @511Georgia Use caution/patience pic.twitter.com/JNRl9B6doy
— Georgia DOT (@GADeptofTrans) March 31, 2017
"There was a 40-feet or higher wall of fire. Power lines were falling and arcing heavily and falling in the streets," Cortez Stafford, a spokesman for the Atlanta Fire Department, told CNN.
The elevated span of highway collapsed about 7 p.m. ET, as crews battling the fire got out of danger's way.
We are keeping everyone affected by the fire in our thoughts & are grateful to @ATLFireRescue & all first responders for all that they do.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 31, 2017
As concrete began falling from under the bridge, firefighters were asked to step back, Stafford said. "Not even two minutes later, the highway fell with a big 'kaboom.' (It) knocked our guys back."
While the highway is normally jammed with cars around that time, there were no fatalities, Reed said.
Atlanta's busiest highway just collapsed. #atl #atlantanews #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/udB7Co7JYB
— Michael Demmons (@mldemmons) March 30, 2017
More than 220,000 cars per day are estimated to drive through that stretch of the interstate. Officials scrambled to come up with alternate routes and encouraged riders to use public transit.
"This is the time to start planning and looking for an alternate route on how you do your business," Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said Thursday evening.
Surreal scenes
Social media users posted surreal images showing motorists -- before the collapse -- choosing to drive into the black smoke that billowed onto the highway as the fire burned beneath them.
CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin was driving north on I-85 during the evening rush hour when he saw smoke rising from underneath the elevated highway.
Pulled up to fire on Interstate 85, minutes before highway collapsed. Smoke was opaque. Had to follow a Tahoe's taillights through it. pic.twitter.com/pem5reIXgs
— Eliott C. McLaughlin (@EliottCNN) March 31, 2017
Many cars on the left side of the five-lane section barreled through the thick black smoke. They disappeared into the darkness as they drove, he said.
McLaughlin slowly followed the taillights of an SUV through the smoke.
Firefighters battle the fire that eventually led to the collapse of part of Interstate 85.
Firefighters battle the fire that eventually led to the collapse of part of Interstate 85.
Soon, interstate traffic was stopped and turned around, creating long jams.
What caused the collapse?
As word of the incident spread, so did the speculation.
Reed, Atlanta's mayor, did not provide details on what caused the collapse, but said it is not linked to terrorism and an investigation is underway.
"We've spoken to the special agent in charge of FBI, there is no evidence this is related to terrorism," he said Thursday night.
Gov. Nathan Deal said he heard speculation it was caused by some "PVC products that caught fire."
Two fire trucks from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in south Atlanta rushed to the scene and sprayed foam on the fallen section and flames.
'It's going to take some time'
Authorities worked through the night to access the bridge and ensure the risks from the collapse are contained.
"There is a possibility you could have a further collapse," Reed said. "We still have personnel at the sight making sure there is no hotspots. We won't know the area of vulnerability for the bridge until tomorrow."
When you're just trying to get home and Atlanta is on fire again. #hotlanta
A post shared by Jono Moore (@jonoism) on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT
The company that originally built the elevated highway would assess the damage, Deal told reporters.
"It's going to take some time to get it repaired and to get it back in service," he said, without offering a time frame for reopening.
Not business as usual
MARTA, Atlanta's rail and bus system, will offer extended service through the weekend.
Here's the traffic in Atlanta at approximately 8:15 a.m. ET on Friday, the morning after the collapse.
Here's the traffic in Atlanta at approximately 8:15 a.m. ET on Friday, the morning after the collapse.
One school district, in nearby DeKalb County, canceled classes for Friday. Schools in Atlanta will be open, Reed said, and city and state offices won't open until 10 a.m.
Weeks of repair ahead
Most structural materials lose strength when subjected to high temperature, meaning the concrete could have been compromised by the heat, said Reginald DesRoches, a professor at Georgia Tech.
Crews work Friday on a section of an Interstate 85 overpass that collapsed during a masive fire.
Crews work Friday on a section of an Interstate 85 overpass that collapsed during a masive fire.
It is too early to say how long it will take to repair the highway, he said.
"It certainly can take anywhere from several weeks to several months," he said. "The surrounding sections of the highway will be evaluated to determine if any damage was sustained from the heat. It is probably prudent to check both sides of the adjacent sections (northbound and south bound)."
CNN's Michelle Krupa, Nicole Chavez, Amanda Jackson, Chris Boyette, Dave Alsup, Martin Savidge and Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report.
