I-79 Northbound At S-Bends Reopens After Tractor Trailer Overturns
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An overturned tractor trailer caused a traffic jam during the Wednesday morning rush hour on Interstate 79.
The crash happened around 5 a.m. on the northbound side of the road leading up to the second S-bend on I-79.
The highway finally fully reopened at 1:30 p.m.
The highway was shut down northbound from Crafton to Coraopolis, specifically Route 60 Crafton/Moon Run (Exit 60) and the Route 51 Coraopolis/McKees Rocks (Exit 64) interchanges for much of the morning. A single-lane of traffic reopened around 10 a.m.
I-79 Left lane will be open shortly and the right lane is going to remain closed for several hours
— TroopB (@PSPTroopBPIO) January 23, 2019
PennDOT was asking drivers to avoid I-79 the area.
KDKA's Meghan Schiller Reports:
Crews managed to push the tractor trailer over to clear one lane on the highway so vehicles sitting in the backed up traffic could finally get by.
KDKA watched as tow trucks worked to clear the tractor trailer, which was surrounded by police cars on all sides. They are expected to be there for some time.
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Crews are making progress, pushing the tractor trailer over to clear one lane. This will only allow the "stuck" cars to head through. The detour is still in place.
MY REPORT FROM THE HILLSIDE: ???????????????????????? https://t.co/PGPhdNgtsm@KDKA @CelinaPompeani pic.twitter.com/R8RHfXW5dB
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) January 23, 2019
KDKA's Meghan Schiller reports traffic was backed up on the highway significantly during the morning rush hour.
#BREAKING: I just snapped this picture from the hillside up above the crash scene leading up the 2nd "S Bend" on I-79. Traffic is backed up as far as I can see. PennDOT is detouring drivers at the Crafton exit. @CelinaPompeani also has your alternate routes mapped out. pic.twitter.com/z9ZF7rVzRN
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) January 23, 2019
PennDOT's detour takes motorists westbound on I-376 to Business Loop 376 to University Boulevard to southbound Route 51 to the Sewickley Bridge to southbound Route 65 back to I-79.
UPDATE: Here is the official detour you can take due to the northbound closure of I-79. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/cmljs67MQx
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) January 23, 2019
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
