Updated: Lanes On Ryan Re-Opened After Dump Truck Hits Sign
Updated 6/25/11 3:38 p.m.
CHICAGO (STMW) - Traffic headaches should lessen Saturday afternoon as crews have re-opened the Dan Ryan Expressway near Cermak Road, 12 hours after a dump truck hit an overhead highway sign and left it 'caved in and leaning' over drivers.
A southbound dump truck hit an overhead sign near 22nd Street (Cermak) at 2:20 a.m., according to Illinois State Police District Chicago Master Sgt. Dave Keltner.
Crews cleaned up the scene and the lanes were opened back up by 2:30 p.m., according to Keltner.
"It'll take a while to work itself out, but at least it going to be open,'' Keltner said of the flow of traffic.
After the wreck, the sign was "caved in and leaning" over the Dan Ryan Expressway, said ISP District Chicago Trooper Genelle Jones.
It was brought down by two cranes but it has to be cut up in order to be placed into flatbed trucks that will tow it away, according to Keltner.
A 60,000-pound "smaller" crane and a "heavy duty'' one were placed in the southbound lanes during the removal process.
All southbound lanes were initially closed throughout the incident. Two northbound lanes were also closed as a precaution in case the sign shifted accidentally during its removal.
No one was hurt and the dump truck stayed on the scene, said ISP District Chicago Trooper Chris Asmar.
© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2011. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
