In Gorham, Maine, a dump truck driver recently experienced the consequences of disregarding weight limits on a historic covered bridge dating back to pre-Civil War times. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon when the overloaded truck crashed through the planks of Babb’s Bridge, leaving a conspicuous hole matching the shape of the vehicle. Despite sustaining minor injuries, the driver’s actions resulted in significant damage to the bridge, which was initially constructed in 1840 and reconstructed in 1976 following a fire. Authorities estimate the bridge will need to undergo several months of repairs before it can reopen to traffic.
According to the Maine Department of Transportation’s spokesperson, Paul Merrill, the bridge’s weight capacity was set at 3 tons (2,700 kilograms), while the dump truck, carrying crushed stone, exceeded this limit by a substantial margin. The truck was en route from Gorham to Windham when the accident transpired, causing it to plummet into the nearby Presumpscot River. The Gorham Police Department is currently investigating the incident, although the driver has not provided any statement regarding the ordeal.
