Update 9:55 a.m.: Interstate 81 North under Interstate 690 West has been cleared and reopened.
Original post:
Syracuse, N.Y – A crash involving a tractor-trailer has shut down Interstate 81 North this morning.
The tractor-trailer going north on I-81 crashed into the West Street bridge, police said in a news release Wednesday.
The crash was reported at 5:42 a.m.
The driver was not injured, but was issued a ticket for an oversized load, police said. The truck, owned by Red Trucking of Sevierville, Tennessee, was hauling construction equipment to Watertown.
A white truck trailer can be seen blocking I-81 northbound lanes. The crash has caused a serious traffic backup on the highway.
It is unknown exactly how long I-81 will be closed. The state’s initial alert on the road closing said the highway could be closed for up to four hours. The state has also closed a couple ramps in the area.
Initially, callers to 911 and police on the scene told dispatchers that the trailer had fallen from Interstate 690 onto I-81. Those reports were not accurate.
Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.