A of Friday (1-10-23) I-75 northbound has reopened. Drivers are urgent be cautious in the work zone.
From ODOT DISTRICT 2 & OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
Emergency repair work is underway after an oversized semi struck the Lime City Road bridge over I-75 early this morning. Due to significant damage to the bridge, the northbound lanes are expected to remain closed until further notice.
Crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation are working with a contractor, ES Wagner, to remove a portion of the bridge deck and beams damaged in the crash. The goal is to reopen the northbound lanes of I-75 as soon as safely possible.
“I-75 is one of the busiest freight routes in the country and getting it back open as soon as possible is our goal, but we will not sacrifice safety for convivence. Please continue to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and be patient as we work to repair the damage done in this crash,” said ODOT District 2 Deputy Director Pat McColley.
Drivers heading north on I-75 can use I-280 as an alternate route. Continue to monitor OHGO.com for updates on traffic conditions.
Driver arrested
Meanwhile the Bowling Green Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a multi-vehicle injury crash that occurred today (2-10) at 1:45 a.m. on Interstate 75 in Rossford.
The preliminary investigation shows a Peterbilt semi-tractor trailer combination, operated by Lavoris Ruth, 43, Miami Gardens, Florida, was driving northbound on I-75 when his load, the base of an intermodal container crane, struck the Lime City Road overpass. The impact caused debris to strike another vehicle, causing minor injuries to the driver.
Additionally, several more vehicles struck debris that was laying in the roadway following the initial crash, and an additional motorist was injured when he fell outside his vehicle.
After the crash occurred, Ruth did not stop and a witness, who was initially struck by debris, followed Ruth and notified law enforcement officers of his location, east of I-75 in the area of the Ampoint complex.
Ruth was charged with not having a valid operator’s license, driving an over dimensional vehicle and for leaving the scene of a crash, all misdemeanors. He was also determined to not have a permit for his load. Ruth was cleared at a local hospital before being incarcerated at the Wood County Justice Center.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Perrysburg Division of Police, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Rossford Police Department, Ohio Department of Transportation, Wright Tire & Auto, and the Rossford Fire and Rescue Department.
The northbound lanes of I-75 remain closed at this time, and a detour has been established by the Ohio Department of Transportation. The northbound ramp from the Ohio Turnpike to I-75 is also closed.
Updates regarding the road closure can be found on Twitter at @OSHP_NWOhio.
The public is encouraged to call #677 if you need help or to report dangerous driving on Ohio roadways.
