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Portion of bridge collapses onto highway in El Paso

Portions of a highway bridge collapsed onto U.S. 54 in El Paso and the vehicles below.
Photo courtesy Daniel Borunda/El Paso Times

An excavator being hauled by a semitrailer hit a pedestrian bridge across U.S. 54 between Hercules Avenue and Hondo Pass on Tuesday, causing portions of the bridge to collapse onto vehicles below.

Chunks of concrete fell onto the southbound roadway and cars that possibly were hit by the debris had pulled over.

All traffic was being routed off U.S. 54 onto Gateway South Boulevard at Dyer Street and traffic was backing up.

The semitrailer was less than a quarter mile south of the damaged bridge and a police motorcycle officer was by it, looking at the excavator.

A gaping hole was cut into the bridge and concrete and a height sign were on the highway.

It appeared as though the bend in the arm of the excavator struck the bridge, an El Paso Times photographer at the scene reported.

Workers and police were walking amid the debris, checking the overpass for damage.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the excavator struck the pedestrian bridge and knocked a "considerable amount" of debris on the highway.

El Paso Police Department officials said the accident happened on U.S. 54 South near Hercules Avenue before 11:30 a.m.

Officials have not said how many vehicles were struck nor whether any injuries were reported. However, an El Paso Times photographer saw two cars pulled over near the damaged bridge.

TxDOT crews are currently working to clear the roadway.

This report will be updated.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.

This story originally appeared at ElPasoTimes.com.

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