Dump truck strikes N.J. highway overpass

A state highway is back open after a dump truck struck an overpass early Wednesday, police said.

The incident occurred shortly after 3 a.m. on Route 55 southbound in Elk Township when a dump truck driver who had just delivered a load of material to a construction zone failed to lower his cargo bed, according to a New Jersey State Police spokesman.

The truck hit the overpass for Cedar Bridge Road, dislodging the cargo bed from the vehicle, police said.

No injuries were reported.

The southbound lanes were closed, but traffic was allowed to pass on the right shoulder, according to police.

While the overpass showed no visible signs of damage, engineers were summoned to examine the structure, police noted.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation evaluated the overpass and determined it was safe and only required minor repairs, which will be made at a later date, a DOT spokesman said.

The truck was removed from the highway around 6:30 a.m. and DOT officials confirmed the highway was reopened around 8:30 a.m.

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Matt Gray may be reached at [email protected].

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