Accident snarls I-81 northbound
Published: May 22, 2009
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share thisA fiery tractor-trailer crash in an Interstate 81 construction zone in Moosic shut down the northbound lanes for five hours Thursday.
Interstate traffic backed up for more than three miles at times, and northbound motorists trying to find a way around the mess clogged other area roadways, including U.S. Route 11.
"That's to be expected," said Karen Dussinger, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation district office in Dunmore. The accident happened just after 6 a.m. when a tractor-trailer crashed into a barrier at the start of a construction zone between the Moosic and Davis Street exits, causing the front axle to separate and puncturing the right fuel tank, state police at Dunmore said.
About 140 gallons of fuel spilled onto the roadway, feeding a fire that consumed the rig and produced heavy black smoke.
State police said the driver, Robert Lore, 55, of Bloomsburg, was not hurt but faces charges of careless driving.
PennDOT reopened the left northbound lane around 11 a.m. The right lane was reopened just before 2 p.m. after repairs were made to a barrier at the approach to a temporary bridge over Rocky Glen Road. The bridge itself had no structural damage, Ms. Dussinger said.
Alternating lane closures were planned through early today to restore pavement damaged by the flames, Ms. Dussinger said.
Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com
Be the first to comment on this article!