The Florida Department of Transportation is advising motorists that all travel lanes along northbound Interstate 75 are closed at County Road 484 in Marion County, northwest of Lake County, due to a crash that occurred earlier this morning.
A tractor-trailer was traveling northbound on I-75 with an over-dimensional load when it struck and damaged the SW 66th Street overpass near mile marker 347, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The left lane of I-75 southbound was temporarily closed near the I-75 northbound rest area to facilitate the turnaround of northbound traffic that was stopped due to the crash in the I-75 northbound lanes. All southbound lanes have since reopened, but traffic is slow-moving in the area.
Due to the accident, SW 66th Street remains closed while crews work to remove damaged concrete from the overpass. FHP stated that debris removal and possible temporary repairs to the overpass are expected to last for the next few hours.
The following detours are currently in effect:
- Motorists heading northbound on I-75 will be directed to merge off the interstate at Exit 329 (State Road 44). Motorists should then head eastbound to U.S. 301, and continue north along U.S. 301 before reaching the location where U.S. 301 and U.S. 441 meet.
- Any motorists wishing to return to I-75 should stay on U.S. 301/U.S. 441 until reaching State Road 40 in Ocala, where they will be able to travel westbound to return to I-75.
The Florida Highway Patrol encourages anyone traveling in the area to seek other routes until further notice.