Ramp to U.S. 35 West from South Smithville Road in Dayton open again

DAYTON — UPDATE @ 11:45 p.m.: The ramp to U.S. 35 West from South Smithville Road and right lane of the highway is open again.

UPDATE @ 6:43 p.m.: An ODOT official arrived on scene, checked out the damage on the overpass ramp from South Smithville Road to U.S. 35 West and has asked for more engineers to evaluate the structure.

That means the on-ramp and the right lane of U.S. 35 West will remain closed until further notice.

UPDATE @ 5:39 p.m.: One lane of U.S. West, in the area of South Smithville Road, has been reopened and the metal unit is being hauled away by tow truck.

The on-ramp to U.S. 35 West at South Smithville Road remains closed.

UPDATE @ 5:30 p.m.: U.S. 35 West is being shut down for several minutes so the large metal item, believed to be a heating-and-cooling unit that weighs "tons," can be moved.

FIRST REPORT

The on-ramp to U.S. 35 West at South Smithville Road has been shut down because of damage caused by a large boxy item that apparently fell or was knocked from a passing flatbed semitrailer.

Dayton police have shut down access to the ramp to access the damage to the overpass. The right lane of U.S. 35 West has been closed as well because that’s where the large boxy item ended up.

Police believe the large boxy item is a huge heating-and-cooling unit that weighs “tons.”

Police were dispatched to the area just after 4:30 p.m. on a report of a hazard.

Traffic is not being allowed to turn right onto Smithville from the U.S. 35 West off-ramp. Eastbound traffic getting off U.S. 35 at South Smithville is not being allowed to turn left and head north on Smithville.

Dayton street maintenance has been called to the scene as well.

We have a crew on scene. We will update this developing report as we get information.

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