WINDHAM (WGME) — Maine State Police said the driver of a dump truck that went through a covered bridge on the Windham-Gorham route was charged with a bridge violation.
The overweight dump truck was hauling gravel across the Babb’s Bridge over the Presumpscot River when it crashed through the bridge deck and plunged into the river below.
There is a three-ton weight limit for the bridge, but police believe the truck was carrying a load six times heavier.
The dump truck was loaded with gravel when it struck the bridge and broke through. According to police, the total weight at the time was 36,000 pounds.
According to state police, the driver of the truck was fined $2,500 for a weight violation.
Although no one was seriously injured, considerable damage was caused.
The truck belongs to “The Driveway Guys”, a road construction contractor.
On Monday, the owner said he wanted to apologize to the cities of Gorham and Windham and was willing to help rebuild.
I want to reach out to the towns and everyone working on the bridge and offer them any help we can. We are by no means shirking our obligations here,” said the owner.
The Maine Department of Transportation, which is responsible for maintaining the bridge, is still working to determine the extent of the damage. It is still unclear how long the bridge will be closed.
