We had something similar happen at I-696 at Woodward ave in Detroit a few years ago. A Gas semi hit the median and evetually blew up, taking the overpass with it. Screwed up things for the better part of a year. I-696 is the trunk line Between I-94 and the western suburbs. What a mess. I feel for you, ATL.
Difference from DTW and ATL is the Woodward bridge goes over 696. This is part of the expressway that will have to be rebuilt. For 696 they probably demolished the bridge remnants over the course of a few days and your orange barrels caused the delays. This will require a detour of that area and will be a living hell for those of us that live here and especially those that drive for their job. A normal afternoon commute for me to the far northern burbs takes me at least an hour once I get on 75. I shudder at how long it’s going to take me tomorrow, my last appt is at 5 in dunwoody, not too far from the mess and super close to a daily traffic mess in the afternoon.
We had a tanker truck crash on an overpass on Malfunction Junction in Birmingham a few years ago...trashed the overpass and had to detour traffic on I65 southbound to local streets. The state put a bonus on finishing the work ahead of time. Don't remember the exact time but I think they had it going in less than two months. Blew my mind. Amazing what incentives will do.