One lane of NB I-75 reopens after tanker explosion

TROY, Mich. (WWJ) -- Another lane of traffic has reopened on I-75 near Troy as cleanup efforts continue following Monday’s crash and tanker explosion that left the freeway severely damaged.

While one lane on southbound I-75 reopened at Square Lake Road on Tuesday, officials said it will likely be weeks until the freeway fully reopens in the area.

On Wednesday, though, crews made enough progress on the cleanup efforts to reopen one lane on the northbound side at Big Beaver Road.

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

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."

It was around 1:15 p.m. Monday when the driver of a fuel tanker crashed into the median, causing the truck to explode and spill thousands of gallons of fuel onto the freeway.

The driver managed to escape the flames with a few minor burns and was treated at a local hospital.

While authorities released dash cam footage of the incident, they are still investigating what led to the incident that caused a major headache for metro Detroit drivers.

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