Semi hits I-75 overpass in Gainesville; lanes reopen

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Emergency crews responded to a major roadway in Gainesville after a semi-truck collided with an Interstate 75 overpass.

Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies say a semi driving on Williston Road collided with the I-75 bridge.

Lanes on Williston Road and the I-75 exit ramp were closed due to the crash. The exit ramp has since reopened.

“I mean, it’s a shame. Luckily, no one got injured,” shared resident Jonathan Doyle.

“Not surprised. I know it’s happened multiple times before,” said resident Ken Hesser.

Two residents were not surprised to hear about the crash.

Doyle travels to Gainesville from Ocala for work and was late because of having to get off the interstate on a different exit.

This isn’t the first time a semi-truck has hit an overpass.

Last year, a dump truck struck the Southwest 66th Street overpass on I-75 near Micanopy, causing significant damage; before that, a semi-truck hauling an excavator struck the same overpass.

“Personally, I feel like the drivers should just pay more attention before they get on the road, make sure the bed’s all the way down,” shared Doyle. “

He continues to say, “I mean, the bridge has been the same height for years. It’s been there for a while, and I think it’s really more on the drivers and the companies to really enforce that, hey, make sure everything’s down and safe before you get on the road.”

Residents say they hope to see more precautions put in place in the future.

“Well, you know what you could do when you come into the rest stop there, when all the trucks were pulling over during the storms, right? And they put just 100 signs right on the expressway,” said Hesser. “So what I would say is, I mean, just got to get in your face. Because people drive down 75, they’re not paying attention; they’re on their phones.”

“Just pay attention out there when you’re on the road because it gets crazy, and just put your phones down and focus, really, Doyle said.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials say they made small repairs and the bridge is structurally sound.

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