UPDATE: All lanes of westbound Interstate 24 are back open Monday night after a semi crash caused them to be blocked Monday morning.
The crash created an oil spill in the median between two bridges at that location, KYTC says, and crews have set up lights so they can continue cleanup.
While the lanes are open, KYTC says drivers should still use extra caution through the area Monday night.
UPDATE: A recovery team is bringing additional equipment to extract a tractor-trailer that crashed near Interstate 24 Exit 11 in McCracken County on Monday.
The truck has to be extracted from the median area near the 10 mile marker. KYTC says westbound traffic is still down to one lane, moving at about 40 mph along the shoulder of the road through the crash site. Westbound drivers are still advised to consider detouring along the I-24 downtown business loop or U.S. 60 through Paducah to avoid the traffic backup at Exit 11.
Eastbound traffic is moving at near-normal speed, KYTC says.
As of about 2:15 p.m. Monday, KYTC says the duration of site cleanup is expected to take three or four more hours.
MCCRACKEN COUNTY, KY – A semi has crashed on Interstate 24 about a half mile west of exit 11.
McCracken County deputies say the semi was traveling east when for unknown reasons it went off the road, through a guardrail, down an embankment, and into a creek.
The trailer split open, spilling a load a refrigerated meat.
The driver, 51-year-old Joe Wood of Frankfort was trapped for about 30 minutes before being freed by the fire department. He had incapacitating injuries and may have to be flown to an out of state hospital.
Clean-up is expected to take several hours. Drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible.
Both eastbound lanes are open. Westbound is down to one lane.
Westbound traffic should consider self-detouring via the I-24 downtown loop or US 60 through Paducah to avoid the traffic backup.
There is a high likelihood that all lanes will have to be blocked so that the semi can be removed.
We will be updating this story.
