HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) reopened one lane of traffic on the State Route 22 bridge over Interstate 20 after an a 18-wheeler accident.

According to officials, the 18-wheeler struck a bridge beam on July 16. Bridge engineers are assessing the damage.

“I applaud MDOT maintenance forces for getting portable traffic signals installed that will allow drivers to cross in each direction of SR 22 using one lane,” said Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons. “Please slow down and use caution on SR 22 in Edwards as our bridge engineers work to assess damage on the other side of the bridge and determine the safest and most efficient repair plan.”

According to MDOT, the beam that was hit is distorted and detached from the bridge deck. The strike raised a corner of the bridge deck by nearly one inch. A portion of railing was also damaged.