Granite counter slabs fall from tractor-trailer on I-95 in Providence, causes early morning delays
September 21, 2023 5:40 am
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Fallen granite counter slabs disrupted traffic on Interstate 95 north in Providence on Thursday morning.
State police said a tractor-trailer was carrying 46,000 pounds of granite overnight.
It was at the curve in the highway at Thurbers Avenue around 1 a.m. when the slabs shifted, causing the straps that were securing it to snap.
The granite then slid off the flat bed and broke into pieces, spilling into three lanes.
The driver, Carlos Pena Rondon of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was cited for violation of several motor carrier safety rules and regulations.
Traffic was only open to the high speed lane for hours as crews rushed to clear the debris.
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
A tractor-trailer crash causes lane closures and delays on Interstate 95 north at the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
A tractor-trailer crash causes lane closures and delays on Interstate 95 north at the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
Crews clear debris from two lanes of Interstate 95 north near the Thurbers Avenue exit in Providence, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (WLNE)
State police said the Department of Transportation had to fill gauges in the highway created by the falling granite.
Traffic was restored at about 7:40 a.m.
Several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported.
