I-55 south of Joliet shut down by storm damage, traffic being rerouted

Interstate 55 south of Joliet could be closed until Wednesday morning before emergency crews can clear power lines that fell onto the highway during an overnight storm.

High-tension towers along I-55 toppled with the wires spreading across the highway, ensnaring semitrailers and other vehicles as high winds and possible tornadoes blew through Will County.

The interstate is closed from Channahon to Braidwood, Will County Emergency Management Agency Director Allison Anderson said Wednesday morning.

“I-55 is going to be closed possibly for the next 24 hours,” Anderson said about 7 a.m. Tuesday.

One person was taken from the scene.

“Other than that, it was really a messy situation with a lot of jackknifed semis,” Anderson said.

Illinois State Police officials said several vehicles were “entangled in downed [power] lines” in both directions of I-55 at Arsenal Road in Channahon.

A rolled-over semitrailer was at the scene of the downed power lines, police said.

State police estimate the the closure of I-55 to be anywhere from 12 to 24 hours.

The closure of I-55 extended to both directions between Illinois Route 6 and River Road, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Northbound traffic has been diverted at River Road to the southbound lanes of Illinois Route 6, transportation officials said.

ComEd is “working to deenergize, remove and repair,” transportation officials said.

Power lines were on I-55 at two locations: near Arsenal Road in Channahon and at Reed Road in Braidwood, Anderson said.

This is a developing story. Check for updates.