TRAFFIC ALERT: Dump-truck accident on I-40 in NLR causes delays

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL --4/17/14-- Workers clean debris off of the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the North Hills Boulevard overpass after a dump truck hit the bridge Thursday afternoon.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL --4/17/14-- Workers clean debris off of the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the North Hills Boulevard overpass after a dump truck hit the bridge Thursday afternoon.

An accident involving a dump truck on Interstate 40 in North Little Rock has delayed traffic in the metro area Thursday afternoon.

Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said the accident occurred in the westbound lanes at the Lakewood exit, mile marker 154. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department first reported the accident on its Twitter account about 3 p.m.

A highway department spokesman said the bed of the dump truck was not completely lowered as it traveled under the bridge, causing the bed to hit the bridge, sever from the rest of the vehicle and spill its contents onto the interstate. Minor injuries were reported in the accident, according to the spokesman.

Three westbound lanes were shut down as of 4:30 p.m. While eastbound lanes are open, drivers report that traffic is moving slowly in the area.

Sadler said troopers are still on the scene of the wreck. It wasn't immediately known when the accident would be cleared.

The highway department said inspectors would be checking for damage to the overpass.

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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STATON BREIDENTHAL --4/17/14-- Workers clean debris off of the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near the North Hills Boulevard overpass after a dump truck hit the bridge Thursday afternoon.

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