Commercial driver cited in Seward Highway overpass strike

Jan. 08--The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has issued two citations to a commercial driver for last week's Tudor Road overpass strike.

A dump truck with its bed raised hit the overpass early Thursday, authorities have said. The crash prompted the dayslong closure of the northbound lanes on a busy stretch of the Seward Highway.

The dump truck driver was working for Kelly Inc., doing business as A-1 Lawn and Landscaping, according to Shannon McCarthy, a spokeswoman for the state transportation department. The driver received citations for "unsafe conditions forbidden" and "not wearing corrective lenses."

McCarthy said she didn't have the driver's name Monday. Someone who answered the phone at A-1 Lawn and Landscaping said there was no one immediately available to comment.

The two citations are not criminal and have a combined fee of $450, said a statement from the state transportation department. The citations were issued Thursday and the driver has 30 days to respond. After that, the citations are sent to the court system.

"The final penalty for this type of citation can range greatly and depends on extenuating circumstances such as driver history," said the statement. "Such penalties may have further implications such as insurance requirements for the driver and carrier."

McCarthy said she didn't immediately have information Monday about whether the driver or business had received citations in the past.

It's estimated to cost roughly $1.5 million to repair the Tudor Road overpass, McCarthy said.

"The department will continue working to recoup costs for the bridge repair in the upcoming months," said the department's statement.

The northbound lanes of the Seward Highway at Tudor Road are expected to open by early Tuesday morning, McCarthy said.

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