'Likely weeks' until I-75 fully reopens in Troy after fiery tanker truck crash

(WWJ) I-75 remains closed after Monday's crash and explosion in Troy, and is not expected to fully reopen to traffic anytime soon.

The freeway is shut down from Square Lake Rd. to Rochester Rd. on the southbound side, and Rochester Rd. to Crooks Rd. on the northbound side as crews assess the damage done when a tanker truck struck the median wall and caught fire.

As of Wednesday morning, one lane of southbound I-75 is open near Big Beaver, and one northbound lane could reopen later today as workers repair the damage, Charlie Langton reports.

The Michigan Department of Transportation says there is no ETA on a reopening; with officials telling WWJ's Jon Hewett that it will be "likely weeks" before the freeway can fully reopen.

Photos shared by MDOT show a charred median and blackened pavement.

"MDOT crews have determined the heat from this tanker fire, which melted a portion of the center median wall — here on the northbound I-75 side near the Big Beaver Road overpass — has also compromised the concrete pavement as well," Hewett reported. "So much so that it will need to be milled out and repaved; about a 600-foot section in all on both sides of the freeway."

MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said a section of the freeway is burned beyond repair, and will need to be rebuilt."

"At this point in time we are working with the contractor to see if we can open up a single lane southbound sometime this evening; that would be the far right lane," said Morosi, Tuesday afternoon. "The northbound we're hoping to open the far right lane sometime tomorrow. Where that be in time for morning rush hour we can't say, depending on the weather and other factors involved."

MDOT has set an estimated, tentative date of August 1 for a complete reopening.

In the meantime, drivers can take Woodward Ave. as a detour, but should expect backups during peak drive times.

Video released by Troy Police shows the tanker slide into the median wall and then briefly skid along it before exploding into black smoke and flame.

Steve Jones of Troy, who was near the scene on Monday, was amazed that the truck driver got out alive.

"He got himself out and rolled away. You know, he couldn't save the truck, obviously, but he saved himself...and I guess he's down at the burn center and doing good," Jones said.

Police said the driver, 46-year-old man from St. Clair, suffered only minor injuries. No one else was hurt in the crash.

It's still unclear what caused the driver to crash as the investigation continues.

Witnesses are asked to call the Troy Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at 248-524-3477.

For the latest updates, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. CLICK HERE to listen live now.

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