A fiery tractor-trailer accident closed I-24 in the Trigg County construction zone Monday afternoon and the interstate remains closed this morning.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Spokesman Keith Todd says it happened near the 62 mile-marker and that multiple fire departments were on scene. It was in the work zone that runs from the 55 to 65 mile-marker with two-way traffic running on the eastbound lanes with a centerline barrier wall.
Early reports indicate the truck landed on top of the centerline barrier wall, then caught fire. Personnel on scene said the truck driver was flown to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. I-24 is expected to remain closed in both directions at the 62 mile-marker until at least noon Tuesday.
Latest detour info from KYTC below:
Efforts to re-establish traffic on I-24 in Trigg County continue. Repairs to the centerline barrier wall from a crash and truck fire at the 62 mile marker on Monday are taking longer than anticipated. The additional repair work to the damaged pavement will require the estimated time of the closure to be extended.
The estimated duration is extended 1.5 hours to approximately 1:30 p.m., CDT, today.
Due to the blockage of all lanes of I-24 at the 62 mile marker and an overturned SEMI continuing to block KY 139 along the main detour for this section, Interstate 24 traffic continues to be diverted to Interstate 69 and the Pennyrile Parkway in Lyon County and Christian County.
Christian County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department is assisting with the diversion for westbound traffic. Caldwell County Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Department are assisting KYTC personnel and Kentucky State Police with the diversion for eastbound traffic.
Eastbound traffic on I-24 is being diverted to I-69 Northbound at Exit 42 near Eddyville to follow I-69 to the Pennyrile Parkway southbound to return to I-24.
Westbound traffic on I-24 is being diverted to the Pennyrile Parkway northbound at Exit 82 in Christian County. Traffic will follow the Pennyrile Parkway northbound to I-69 Southbound to return to I-24.
These diversions are expected to remain in place until approximately 1:30 p.m., CDT, today.