NTSB Finishes Work at Skagit River Accident Scene

The National Transportation Safety Board has concluded its work at the scene of the Skagit River Bridge collapse at Interstate 5 in Washington state, the Associated Press reported.

All pieces of the bridge of interest to the NTSB have been removed from the river, clearing the way for the Washington Department of Transportation to speed up work on a replacement bridge, according to AP.

If piers pass inspection, spokesmen have said the temporary span could be ready by the middle of the month, AP said.

Preliminary investigations showed that a truck carrying oversized equipment hit a truss on the bridge, causing part of it to collapse and sending two other vehicles into the water.

The trucking company that apparently caused the accident, Alberta, Canada-based Mullen Trucking Co., may have to pay for the damages, news services reported.

Washington state officials are waiting until the NTSB finishes its investigation of the May 23 accident and won’t attempt to collect damages from Mullen unless negligence is determined to be a factor, the Everett (Wash.) Herald reported.