GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None — A fallen sign created a major traffic jam on a Gwinnett County interstate Wednesday morning.
A tractor-trailer knocked over an overhead sign on Interstate 85, Gwinnett County police said. The incident happened around 10 a.m. News Chopper 2 flew over the scene, where the smashed truck sat in a grassy median.
The northbound lanes of I-85 were blocked at Highway 316. Traffic was backed up all the way to Steve Reynolds Boulevard. All traffic was being diverted to Highway 316 eastbound. Drivers were advised to use Sugarloaf Parkway to get back to I-85.
Georgia Department of Transportation officials said they hoped to have the scene cleared by 1 p.m. They said the truck driver went through a guard rail, hitting a support structure on the right hand shoulder and knocking down a sign. The sign has to be completely taken down, but it was not damaged and will be saved for re-installation.
GDOT officials said taxpayers will be off the hook for repairs, which will take six weeks. The driver was at fault and therefore, his insurance will be billed, the GDOT said.
The driver was hospitalized but is expected to be OK.
The scene was cleared around 12:30 p.m.
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WSBTV
