Northbound I-95 reopening in Dunn, a day after truck fire damaged bridge

A section of northbound Interstate 95 began to reopen Wednesday afternoon, more than a day after a box truck caught fire and stopped under a bridge in Dunn.

The N.C. Department of Transportation reopened the left lane of northbound I-95 at the U.S. 421 interchange at about 3:30 p.m. and expects to open the right lane by about 7 p.m.

NCDOT began opening the road after a lab in Raleigh analyzed samples from the bridge’s steel beams and determined it was safe. Additional time is needed to make repairs in the right lane before it can reopen Wednesday evening.

The truck was traveling on U.S. 421 when it stopped under the bridge that carries northbound I-95 over the road at about 2 p.m. Tuesday. NCDOT initially thought the road would reopen by 8 a.m. but wanted to make sure that the fire and intense heat hadn’t compromised the steel girders.

The truck’s driver was not hurt.

Northbound traffic was being directed off I-95 at Exit 73, across U.S. 421 and back onto the highway. The short detour backed traffic up for miles, and it will continue to be slow until both lanes are open.

Northbound U.S. 421, also known as East Cumberland Street, has also been closed at the interchange since the fire. It is expected to reopen when the right lane of I-95 does, NCDOT said.

Southbound I-95 remained open through Dunn, as did southbound U.S. 421, according to NCDOT.