Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Built in 1840, Babb's Bridge is the state's oldest covered bridge. It was closed after an "overweight dump truck" fell through, creating a gaping hole. Officials estimate the bridge will be closed for months.

A historic covered bridge in Maine is closed after an "overweight dump truck" fell through, creating a gaping hole, officials said.

The incident occurred on Babb's Bridge between Gorham and Windham on Friday afternoon, according to the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT). The bridge is expected to be closed for months, a press release states.

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

The Gorham Police Department shared photos of the crash scene on Facebook to alert the public to find an alternate route.

"The excessive weight of the vehicle caused the wooden floor of the bridge structure to give way," the Facebook post said.

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Officials said the overweight truck was crossing from Gorham into Windham, Maine, at the time of the crash into the water.

"The driver should be made to pay for repairing the bridge, it was not designed for large commercial vehicles," one Facebook user commented on the police department's post.

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

MaineDOT says the bridge, which is the state's oldest – originally built in 1840 – has a posted weight limit of three tons. Police said the dump truck was loaded with crushed gravel, causing MaineDOT to say the truck that caused the damage was likely "several times the posted weight limit."

It was determined the truck entered the bridge from the Gorham side before falling through the first panel of the bridge deck into the river below.

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Maine's Historic Babb's Bridge Closed After Dump Truck Crashes Through

Babb's Bridge is a single-lane, state-owned structure that spans the Presumpscot River. MaineDOT says about 360 vehicles cross the bridge daily.

The truck, which has been identified by local news as a Ford F750, can be seen in the Presumpscot River.

The bridge has seen its share of troubles. After being burned by vandals in 1973, MaineDOT crews rebuilt an exact replica that opened in 1976. Vandals again struck in 2014, cutting holes in the bridge's roof. In 2015, the bridge was damaged by a snow plow.

The bridge is inspected by state officials at least every two years. Its last inspection was at the end of last month, MaineDOT said. The three-ton weight limit was posted on the bridge in 1983 and has not changed since then.

Babb's Bridge was originally built in 1840, but now stands as a replica that was completed in 1976.

The truck driver was identified as Joshua Polewarzyk, 37, of Limington. He was driving a Ford F750, local TV station WMTW reports. He was able to get out of the truck and suffered minor injuries. When the truck was pulled from the river, the logo of an asphalt contractor named The Driveway Guys was spotted on its side.

"The last time this bridge was damaged, they considered closing it to vehicles and only allowing pedestrian traffic," a local wrote on the police department's post. "I hope this doesn't push that agenda again. This is about a mile from my house and I go this way about 60% of the time."