Oversize load damages and closes SC bridge over I-85

An illegal, oversize load damaged a bridge over Interstate 85 in South Carolina so badly it had to be closed, transportation officials said.

The load hit the deck of the state Highway 110 bridge over I-85 near Cowpens on Monday afternoon, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said in a statement.

The bridge had to be closed and the southbound lanes of I-85 near mile marker 83 were also closed for several hours as engineers inspected the highways, officials said.

Crews are building a new bridge for state Highway 110 as part of the I-85 widening project in the area, but it is not finished.

The DOT is working with the contractor building the bridge to determine how to finish it as quickly as possible, the agency said.