JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- Traffic headed on eastbound Highway 50 in Jefferson City came to a standstill this afternoon when a tractor trailer carrying an oversized load got trapped.
A large fiberglass tank strapped to the flatbed scraped the bottom of the overpass at the tri-level, ripping the top of the tank.
The driver then backed up about a half-mile to exit the Highway at Dix Road because the clearance on the Dix Road overpass is shorter heading westbound on Highway 50 and officials did not want the tank to scrap the bottom of that overpass.
Missouri Department of Transportation had to raise traffic lights and power lines to allow the tractor trailer to cross on the Dix Road overpass.
The truck driver had a MoDOT-issued permit to travel this route.
MoDOT motor carrier services officials said the trucking company made an honest mistake in applying for that permit, though.
MoDOT said the height of the load listed on the permit application does not match the actual height of the tank.
The tractor trailer is forced to remain parked tonight.
A new measurement will be taken for the tank tomorrow morning and a new permit issued.
That permit will give the truck driver a safe route to take through Missouri, one with the appropriate height clearances.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG