Update: One Lane Reopens on Southbound I-75

Update 5:40 p.m., March 21:

One lane on southbound Interstate 75 between County Road 54/State Road 54 and State Road 56 is now repaved and open to traffic, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

"The second lane is expected to be opened to traffic late this evening as crews continue to repair a large section of asphalt that was damaged in the accident," an FDOT media release states. "Crews will also have to replace concrete barrier wall sections and the safety crash attenuators at the end of the barrier wall."

The southbound exit to SR 56 is expected to remain closed until later this evening as the roadway repairs continue at the exit point to the ramp, according to FDOT. Motorists can use Exit 279 and take SR 54 to SR 56 or take CR 54 east, then Bruce B. Downs Boulevard south to SR 56.

Update 9:15 a.m., March 21:

The fiery crash that has snarled the morning commute on I-75 in Tampa has caused enough damage to the roadway that crews don't expect southbound lanes to be open until after 6 p.m. tonight, March 21.

"The roadway asphalt is to be replaced before the roadway may re-open," said Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Workers from the U.S. Postal Service are reposnding to the scene to collect mail that was in the back of one of the vehicles. Much of the mail was damaged or destroyed.  

Update 8:15 a.m., March 21:

 More details have emerged in the crash that has left most of Interstate 75 in the State Road 56 area closed this morning, March 21.

According to Sgt. Steve Gaskins of the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened as a tractor trailer operated by Pat Salmon & Sons of Florida was heading south on I-75 just north of State Road 56. The tractor trailer was in the outside lane when it struck a crash attenuator in the construction zone with the right side of the truck. The impact caused the tractor trailer to partially jackknife and collide with the center median guardrail.

A dump truck following behind couldn’t stop and ended up hitting the rear of the tractor trailer.

Both drivers were able to get out of their vehicles without injury before a fire broke out. The tractor trailer was carrying mail.

“The crash has closed all southbound lanes of I-75 are expected to remain closed until approximately noon today,” Gaskins wrote in an email to the media. “Southbound traffic on I-75 will be diverted onto Exit 279 (SR-54). Traffic south of that exit and north of the crash will be diverted back to SR-54 or southbound on the shoulder to SR-56 to exit the roadway.”

Earlier:

The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that all but one northbound lane of Interstate 75 near State Road 56 is closed this morning, March 21, following a crash between two commercial vehicles.

The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. just north of State Road 56 in the southbound lanes. After impact, both vehicles caught fire and became fully engulfed, wrote highway patrol spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins in an email.

No injuries have been reported, but the Interstate is expected to remain closed southbound for several hours, Gaskins said. It is unclear at this time if motorists can get on the southbound ramp at State Road 56.

Stay with Land O’ Lakes Patch for updates as they become available.