I-55 in Joliet reopens after shutdown caused by Black Road bridge damage

A commercial vehicle carrying construction equipment struck the bridge that crosses Interstate 55 in Joliet, causing roughly three hours of a massive backup at the northbound lanes of the highway, police said.

About 2:15 p.m. Monday, troopers responded to the crash at the Black Road bridge in Joliet that crosses I-55, according to a statement from Illinois State Police Trooper Genelle Jones.

A commercial vehicle with a flatbed trailer struck the Black Road bridge, causing debris to fall on the northbound lanes of I-55, Jones said. No injuries were reported, she said.

When asked about the driver and whether citations were issued, Jones said the “information is not yet available to report at this time.”

The flatbed trailer was carrying construction equipment, according to Maria Castaneda with the Illinois Department of Transportation. She said IDOT bridge inspectors were at the scene as of 5 p.m.

The northbound lanes of I-55 were closed following the crash at 2:15 p.m. and reopened about 5:45 p.m. Traffic on I-55 had been rerouted to Illinois Route 52 and 59, Jones said. This led to congestion on some streets in Joliet.

“The investigation is in its infancy and no further information is available at this time,” Jones said of the crash.

[  PHOTOS: Debris falls from bridge on I-55 in Joliet ]