Contractor for Ohio overpass collapse has $91M contract

Work continues in the aftermath of the bridge collapse on Interstate 75, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 in Cincinnati. The collapse killed a worker and injured a truck driver. The Ohio Department of Transportation said the busy artery through downtown Cincinnati will be closed at least two to three days. (AP Photo/The The Cincinnati Enquirer, Liz Dufour)

CINCINNATI—Ohio transportation authorities say that the overpass demolition work that resulted in a fatal collapse onto Interstate 75 is part of a three-year, nearly $91 million project.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says that Westerville, Ohio-based Kokosing Construction Co. was in charge of the work. The firm also is responsible for cleanup of the hundreds of tons of concrete and steel that are covering southbound lanes in Cincinnati some five miles north of the Ohio River.

A worker was killed Monday night and tractor-trailer driver suffered minor injuries.

A state official says Kokosing has a strong safety reputation. However, it could face fines from the state and federal workplace safety officials.

Transportation officials say southbound lanes of the major north-sound artery could be closed at the accident site for 48 to 72 hours.

From The Associated Press