DALLAS — Lanes of Interstate 45 south of Downtown Dallas have reopened Friday morning the day after an 18-wheeler crashed into the concrete barrier.
Traffic was stacked for miles Thursday afternoon after the crash, which happened shortly before 11 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-45 at Pennsylvania Avenue, according to officials.
Reps with the Texas Department of Transportation said the force of the accident pushed the concrete barrier that separates the north and southbound lanes into the northbound lanes.
For much of the day, only one northbound lane on I-45 was open, and both directions of travel were closed for some time because of both the barrier and a subsequent fuel spill. All traffic was forced to exit at MLK while emergency officials turned traffic around to empty the freeway.
It took nearly eight hours to move the barrier out of the way - pushing it back in place, where possible - and clear the damage.
TxDOT also had to check the concrete wall and arrange for repairs, which are slated to happen over the weekend.
Aerials over the scene showed the overturned semi and traffic backed up on I-45 heading south out of the city.
Dallas police did not have any reports if injuries at the time of the accident. The cause of the crash is also still unknown.
Because of the slated repairs over the weekend, drivers should consider avoiding the area while crews work to repair the concrete wall.
Check wfaa.com/traffic for the latest traffic information and alternate routes.