Another truck crashing into an overpass on I-75 has slowed traffic to a near standstill near an interchange in northwest Ocala on Monday.
The Ocala Fire Rescue reported the impact within the past two hours, noting that the tractor-trailer struck the bridge structure, resulting in a total blockage of westbound lanes on State Road 27/NW Blitchton Road.
While the Ocala Police Department and the Florida Department of Transportation are on-site assessing the damage, no injuries have been reported.
According to FDOT, the incident was reported at around 11:30 a.m. and as of 1:18 p.m., a right shoulder was still being blocked on Blitchton Road.
In addition to the strike underneath the bridge, multiple crashes have been reported in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75. According to FDOT, one crash was reported at 1:13 p.m. near mile marker 348.
That crash is causing congestion for several miles extending back through mile marker 344.
Those incidents are creating traffic congestion and delays for miles on the highway.
The latest crash into an overpass is one in a series of bridge strikes that have frequently impacted the I-75 corridor in Marion and Sumter counties over the past two years.
Similar accidents have occurred repeatedly at the SW 66th Street overpass, as well as the CR 484 and CR 475 bridges, often involving oversized loads or equipment failures.
Last week, a vehicle plunged from an overpass along the highway, killing the driver inside.
As of 1:45 pm, traffic was being diverted away from the interchange area.
Motorists are advised to avoid Blitchton Road and seek alternate routes until the scene is cleared and the bridge is deemed safe for travel.