Why I-75 In Troy May Be Closed For A While (Photos)

TROY, MI — One lane of I-75 between Square Lake and Rochester roads have opened, but the rest of the freeway may be closed for a while after a fuel tanker carrying 14,000 gallons of diesel and gasoline caught fire Monday afternoon.

The Troy Police Department said Tuesday the right lane of southbound I-75 has reopened and one lane of northbound I-75 is expected to reopen Wednesday.

"There is significant damage to the freeway pavement," police said. "Construction will begin to rebuild the center and left lanes of both directions, along with the barrier wall."

See More: I-75 Closed Through Tuesday Morning In Troy After Tanker Fire

Photos provided by Troy fire crewsshow the damage left by the fire, in which no one of injured. Dark marks can be seen on both sides of the freeway barrier and off the road into the grass.

Other photos, posted on Twitter by Troy Mayor Ethan Baker and provided to him by MDOT, showed the damage close up.

Monday Tanker Fire Closed I-75

All lanes of the freeway were closed at Big Beaver Monday afternoon after the tanker caught fire, sending thick, black smoke and flames into the sky. Authorities warned then that the roadway may be closed for an extended period of time because the road "may have buckled from the heat of the fire."

Officials with the Troy Police Department initially reported Monday that the tanker caught fire along northbound I-75 at the Big Beaver curve. When fire crews arrived at the scene, they said they found the truck was on fire. Firefighters said they assisted in getting the driver away from the truck before he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

No other injuries were reported as a result of the fire, authorities said. The highway will remain closed in both directions until it has been cleaned up and inspected by Michigan Department of Transportation engineers, fire officials said late Monday.

The Next Step

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said Wednesday morning that the reopening of the right lane will allow traffic to move on the freeway while crews rebuild the damaged center and left lanes, along with the barrier wall that separates both directions of traffic. The entrance ramps to southbound I-75 will remain closed at Crooks and Big Beaver roads until the repair work is completed in order to minimize expected delays, officials said.

Crews will reopen the right lane during the afternoon hours on Wednesday, MDOT said, allowing for the center and left lanes to be rebuilt. The entrance ramps at 14 Mile and Rochester roads will be closed during repairs.