ATLANTA — Imagine the shock, driving under an overpass and looking up to see feet disappear into the bridge. While it may sound unrealistic, it’s a real trend.
“I saw a guy putting a big green trash barrel down and he climbs up on top of it, and he starts making his way inside the interstate overpass, almost similar to an attic in a house” said 11Alive’s own, Crash Clark.
He is among the latest to witness someone entering a bridge hatch. And, he isn’t alone, While investigating the story, our cameras captured a different person entering the crawl space of a bridge.
“Obviously they’re going in there because they’re cold or they need shelter, but maybe we can find warming centers or create more shelters. But I think that’s a hazard for the community,” said one resident.
Another metro Atlanta resident shared those same sentiments.
“There’s real concern, concern for the people who are living in there as well for the people around there. There has been so much property damage from this kind of inappropriate living space,” Jerry Nash said.
People gathering or items being improperly stored under roadways has many worried the situation could lead to a bridge collapse similar to the one in 2017. That's when a section of I-85 fell after a massive fire.
Cathryn Vassell with Partners for HOME, a nonprofit that helps to connect people experiencing homelessness with the resources, said the concern is on their radar.
“We have elevated that issue to the Georgia Department of Transportation and they are aware of it. They are working to secure those locations and we have asked that they prioritize that,” Vassell said.
In a statement GDOT confirmed the effort and added they are working with local law enforcement and social service agencies to secure area bridges.
As for witnesses like Crash Clark, they remain in disbelief.
“Maybe a four-by-four opening and he just disappeared inside, there goes the sneakers and everything, I was like, 'he’s inside the interstate.' I couldn’t believe I saw that," he said.
Vassell said Partners for HOME recently got $2.4 million grant to help relocate and secure temporary housing for people living near or within area bridges.
Atlanta Police said they recently did an operation a couple of days ago removing some people experiencing homelessness from the bridges.