Tractor-trailer crashing into overpass on I-75 in Marion County, FL stalls traffic for 12 hours
Photos courtesy of FHP.
Marion County, Florida - A 2020 Freightliner tractor-trailer rig carrying a large steel tank as cargo - an over-dimensioned load traveling north on Interstate-75 - interfered with the flow of traffic, due to the top of the tank striking the undercarriage of the SW 66 Street / Williams Road concrete overpass at 9:19 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
The overpass sustained significant damage, which required all northbound lanes of Interstate-75 to be closed for inspection, cleanup and repairs.
The driver, a 50 year-old man from Lakeland Florida who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured in the crash.
At 2:00 pm, according to Lieutenant Patrick V. Riordan, Public Affairs Officer with Florida Highway Patrol, Troop-B, work crews were removing damaged concrete from the overpass, and the debris removal and possible temporary repairs were expected to last until 5:00 pm, or later.
All northbound lanes remained closed, and all northbound traffic was being detoured off Interstate-75 at the 341 mile marker / Marion Couny Road 484 exit.
All Southbound lanes were open, but travel was very slow due to a traffic backup that extended for approximately 10 miles.
SW 66 Street (Williams Road) also was closed.
At 8:55 pm, Lieutenant Riordan stated that all northbond lanes of Interstate-75 have been reopoened. However, SW 66 Street (Williams Road) remains closed.