A tractor-trailer carrying a windmill blade collided with a railroad bridge in coastal Maine early Friday morning, leading to delays while crews worked to clear the scene.
Around 5:30 a.m., Maine State Police said the tractor-trailer, which was bringing a windmill blade to Columbia, collided with the railroad bridge that crosses over Route 1 in Stockton Springs. The collision caused both the tractor and trailer hauling the blade to overturn, temporarily shutting down Route 1.
No one was injured in the crash.
STX, the employer of the truck driver, and representatives from the railroad also responded to assess the situation. Fortunately, the bridge sustained only minor damage.
Due to the length of the windmill blade, turning the vehicle around is not feasible, police said. The only viable option is to load the blade onto another trailer and reverse it back to Searsport. The operation was still being coordinated as of 1 p.m. Friday and it appears the blade will be moved back to Searsport early Saturday morning.
In the meantime, Route 1 in the area will remain closed, state police said. Traffic on Route 1 is being re-routed from the bridge to Route 174A to Route 1A and back to Route 1.
