A bridge on the M180 which was hit by a low loader carrying plant machinery with large forks will have to be partially demolished and rebuilt.
The bridge, between junctions 4 and 3 westbound, was struck on Tuesday, severely damaging an edge beam.
The impact was of such a great force that it ripped part of the plant machinery from the low loader and flipped the forks over which then gouged the road surface in lane one of the motorway.
Following an inspection by Highways Agency structural experts, the beam has been deemed to be beyond repair and the section of the bridge will require partial demolition and rebuilding.
A lane one closure has been put in place and cones have been placed on top of the bridge to keep traffic away from the damaged beam.
The rest of the bridge is stable although it will be regularly monitored.
The lane closures will remain in place until work to repair the beam is carried out; this is expected to take place later this year.
The incident came almost two years after the Laburnham bridge, near Habrough, was damaged in 2012 when it was struck by a truck transporting a digger.
It is still awaiting repair with work set to begin to rebuild it after the end of the school summer holidays.
