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Northbound I-75 In Detroit To Be Closed For Days After Tanker Fire; Driver Cited For Careless Driving

DETROIT (WWJ) - Drivers will have to deal with an I-75 detour in Detroit for a few more days after a tanker truck exploded and caught fire.

The Michigan Department of Transportation said crews will begin repairs Tuesday to the damaged freeway ramp along northbound I-75 near the I-375 interchange where the tanker crashed Sunday morning.

The truck was carrying 9,000 gallons of unleaded fuel when it crashed and went up in flames, damaging about 100 yards of concrete on the freeway ramp and barrier walls.

I-75 tanker fire
(photo: Jason Scott/WWJ)

MDOT said the freeway could remain closed until late Friday, weather permitting. Crews will be replacing concrete on the ramp, as well as constructing temporary concrete barriers along the shoulders of the ramp until repairs can be made to the barrier walls at a later date.

Michigan State Police say there was a mechanical issue with the truck that apparently caused the back tires to lock and the tanker to overturn. The driver, a 36-year-old Detroit man, was uninjured. He has since been cited for careless driving through the 36th District Court.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing. State police say their Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division will also be conducting a compliance review of the driver's employer.

For the latest from the roads, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 during Traffic and Weather on the 8s, 24-hours a day. Check for recent incidents now on the CBS Detroit Traffic Page.

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