Overpass collapse shuts down I-75

CINCINNATI – Tons of concrete and steel covered the southbound lanes of a major artery Tuesday after an overpass collapse during demolition work left one worker dead, a tractor-trailer driver injured and police considering what the potential toll might have been had the accident occurred amid heavy traffic.

The removal of debris from Interstate 75 began Tuesday afternoon and was expected to take 24 to 48 hours. Ohio transportation authorities will then assess the pavement where the section of overpass deck landed Monday night. The Ohio Department of Transportation said it’s difficult to predict how long pavement repairs might take without seeing the damage.

Authorities identified the worker who was killed as Brandon William Carl, 35, of Augusta, Kentucky.

Dem bill targeting oil pipeline fails

WASHINGTON – The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday rejected Democrats’ bids to ban exports from the Keystone XL oil pipeline and to require building the project with American-made steel.

In largely party-line votes, the Senate sidetracked the first two additions to a bill seeking to approve construction of the 1,179-mile pipeline. Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota argued that their additions would ensure that the pipeline, which will carry an estimated 800,000 barrels of oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries, will benefit Americans with fuel and jobs.

Democrats hope to use the legislation to score political points on key issues associated with the project, including its contribution to global warming.

Associated Press