SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 5:48 p.m. 8/1/2025] The Talmadge Bridge is back open following a crane strike and inspection, the Georgia Department of Transportation has announced.

“The bridge inspection has been completed, and the bridge is deemed safe for the traveling public,” GDOT says.

“US 17 Southbound travel lanes are open to traffic, and the northbound lanes will open shortly.”

[UPDATE 5:00 p.m. 8/1/2025] WTOC has obtained footage of the crane boom collapsing after it collided with the Talmadge Bridge in Savannah.

See the aftermath of the Talmadge Bridge crane strike below, courtesy of a WTOC viewer.

[UPDATE 4:02 p.m. 8/1/2025] The Savannah Police Department has listed detour routes for people to use while the Talmadge Bridge is temporarily closed.

• All Southbound traffic on US-17 from South Carolina will be forced onto Hutchinson Island.
• All Hutchinson Island traffic will be rerouted onto US-17 Northbound toward South Carolina.
• I-16 / US-17 Northbound will be closed and traffic forced onto Gwinnett Street Ramp.
• Oglethorpe Ramp Northbound will be closed at West Boundary Street.

[UPDATE 3:28 p.m. 8/1/2025] The Georgia Department of Transportation has put out a statement regarding the Talmadge Bridge crane boom collision.

It says that “the US 17/SR 404 Spur Bridge in Savannah will be closed beginning this afternoon so that the agency can conduct an inspection of the bridge, following a bridge strike incident in which a crane struck the underside of the main span of the bridge during a crane transit on the Savannah River.

The bridge, known as the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, will remain closed for an indeterminate period out of an abundance of caution to inspect for any possible damage, a measure taken for the safety of the traveling public."

[UPDATE 3:17 p.m. 8/1/2025] The Talmadge Bridge is now closed in all directions for inspection as workers attempt to assess the damage from a crane boom which struck it from the Savannah River earlier today.

Savannah firefighters and law enforcement are also on the scene and posted some photos of the collision.

The Savannah Fire Department has stated there are no reported injuries.

You can see footage of the incident in our video below:

Locals and motorists are being advised to avoid the area at this time.

[ORIGINAL STORY] A crane has struck the Talmadge Bridge over the Savannah River, WTOC has confirmed.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has told WTOC bridge inspectors are on the way now.

One crane appears to have fallen into the river.

River traffic under the Talmadge Bridge has been closed and the bridge itself is expected to close soon.

This is a developing story. This page will be updated as information becomes available.

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