Eastbound I-70 near Greenfield, Indiana, experienced significant delays and a full closure Thursday morning due to a semi-truck fire and a subsequent crash. The incidents, which occurred near mile markers 112 and 109 respectively, brought traffic to a standstill for several hours, impacting holiday weekend travel.
Fiery Start to the Day on I-70
The initial incident, a semi-truck fire, was reported shortly before 5:00 AM on July 3rd. Hancock County 911 reported the closure at the Greenfield exit, anticipating delays of approximately four hours. Images shared showed the semi-truck engulfed in flames, causing extensive damage.
Adding to the traffic woes, a secondary crash occurred nearby at mile marker 109. Emergency crews worked diligently to offload the semi-truck and clear the wreckage from both incidents.
Traffic Updates and Detours
INDOT and Hancock County Sheriff's Department issued alerts, advising motorists to seek alternative routes. Eastbound traffic was backed up for miles. Around 7:30 AM, one eastbound lane was reopened, but significant backups remained. The suggested detour was eastbound U.S. 40 from the Mt. Comfort Road exit.
Good News: All Lanes Now Open
Finally, at 10:10 AM, Hancock County 911 announced that all lanes of eastbound I-70 had been reopened. They confirmed that all accidents, disabled vehicles, and “sleepy drivers” had been taken care of, allowing traffic to resume normal flow.
Authorities urged drivers to exercise caution and wished everyone safe travels for the holiday weekend.
If you're traveling on I-70 this holiday weekend, be sure to check real-time traffic updates and allow for extra travel time. Stay safe!