NTSB Investigators to Release I-5 Bridge Collapse Final Report July 15

Federal investigators are scheduled to provide the National Transportation Safety Board with their final report on last year’s Interstate 5 bridge collapse in Washington state.

The report, due July 15, is expected to outline what caused a driver working for Mullen Trucking LP, of Aldersyde, Alberta, to crash into the bridge on I-5 between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 23, 2013.

Two vehicles fell into the river, and safety crews rescued three people. No fatalities were reported.

Peter Knudson, a public affairs officer for the board, said investigators will summarize their findings during several presentations and then board members will “deliberate over the draft report and then will ask the investigators questions about the report.”

If the board approves the findings, they will vote to approve the report, as well as any safety recommendations. A final report would be unveiled several days after the hearing.

The I-5 bridge was reopened Sept. 15, 2013, after crews installed a new permanent span with the help of a federal emergency grant of $15.6 million. Washington State DOT officials said there have been no complications since the span was installed. They also have no plans to replace the bridge, despite its outdated design.

The hearing will be held at NTSB’s Washington, D.C., offices at 9:30 a.m. EDT.