UPDATE from 6 p.m. Newscast
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Motorists traveling on Interstate 64 faced traffic nightmares Thursday after an accident slowed – even halted – traffic most of the day.
The main exit ramp into Huntington (Exit 11 at Hal Greer Boulevard) was closed for a lengthy time after a tractor-trailer became wedged on an exit bridge. That accident coincided with a change in traffic patterns at Exit 11 that caused some confusion.
For several weeks, westbound traffic had been routed to the eastbound side of I-64 as construction crews built a new westbound overpass. The plan Thursday morning was to route traffic over the new bridge so crews could begin replacing the old eastbound overpass.
By Friday, state highway officials hope to have traffic flowing in both directions over the new overpass.
Crews that attempted to move the wedged tractor-trailer Thursday said it was about 180-feet long and weighed roughly 200,000 pounds. They said the tractor’s tires did not have enough tread to pull itself out of the jam.
The Public Service Commission reported that the driver of the tractor should have requested a permit at the state line. Instead, a call was made at the rest area just west of the Hal Greer Exit, which is about 10 miles from the West Virginia/Kentucky line.
Original Story
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – It is slow-going for drivers using I-64 near the Hal Greer exit in Huntington.
A semi carrying a wide load is stuck on the eastbound exit ramp. It happened shortly after 9:30 Thursday morning.
Drivers heading east are urged to get off at the 5th Street exit until the truck can be moved.
Drivers already face a slow down in the area around the I-64 Hal Greer exits due to interstate bridge construction.
State Troopers say the driver picked up the load in Michigan and was headed to Pennsylvania when he realized he needed to turn around because his permit did not allow him on Interstate 64, only on US 52.
When he exited I-64 at Exit 11, his load hit the bridge on the off-ramp, which got the truck stuck.
We're told the plan is to back the truck back-up the off ramp up to 64. Then exit him off at Merritt's Creek so he can turn around and head west to get over to US 52.
This could take most of the day.
Keep clicking on WSAZ.com for the latest information.
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