Indiana Toll Road reopens after utility pole fire, but random lane closures possible
CHICAGO (CBS) -- All lanes of the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 90) have reopened, after a utility pole fire forced police to shut it down near Hammond on Monday morning.
Indiana State Police said the Hammond Fire Department asked them to shut down the Indiana Toll Road after a large utility pole was damaged in a fire near Kennedy Avenue, causing concern the pole could collapse, and power lines could come down on the toll road.
Both directions of the Indiana Toll Road are closed for this utility pole fire out of fear the pole could collapse and bring power lines onto the roadway @WBBM1059Traffic @indiana105 @SarahJindra @rozvaronABC7 @Bryesha_Adams @fox32news @lakecounty911 @RegionNewsNow @nwi https://t.co/B3lmmbAa68 pic.twitter.com/tv5KH0Lnlr
— Sgt. Glen Fifield (@ISPLowell2) April 17, 2023
The toll road has been closed between Cline and Calumet Avenues, and Indiana State Police originally said the toll road would remain closed until approximately 7 p.m. for repairs to the pole and power lines.
However, early Monday afternoon, the Indiana Toll Road announced on Twitter that all lanes had reopened. Indiana State Police said NIPSCO had come up with a plan to fix the pole that would allow lanes to reopen. However, some random lane closures are possible as crews make repairs.
@NIPSCO has come up with a plan that will allow all lanes to reopen. BUT, there could be random lane closures as they continue to work, so be alert @cbschicago @MikePTraffic @nbcchicago @ABC7Chicago @WGNNews @WBBM1059Traffic @fox32news @WGNtraffic @RegionNewsNow @nwi @indiana105… https://t.co/a089mXthUO
— Sgt. Glen Fifield (@ISPLowell2) April 17, 2023
The South Shore Line, which runs parallel to Kennedy Avenue under the toll road, had suspended all service Monday morning, but has since announced it will run a temporary weekend/holiday schedule between Hammond an Chicago, starting with westbound train No. 606, departing Hammond at 12:10 p.m. The first eastbound train from Millennium Park station in Chicago will depart at 1:22 p.m.
NIPSCO said it's unclear why the 110-foot transmission pole caught fire, but the fire had been extinguished as of 10:15 a.m. Crews were on the scene to make repairs.