UPDATE (9PM) -- Interstate 75 is back open after being closed since Wednesday. Florida Highway Patrol will stay on scene to monitor road conditions and will close the stretch of I-75 again if conditions decline.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- The Picayune Strand fire that has been burning since Sunday near Naples continues to cause issues on Interstate 75.
The highway remains closed Wednesday between mile markers #80 (S.R. 29 exit) and #101 (Collier Boulevard exit).
The southbound closure had previously begun at the Golden Gate Boulevard exit (#105), but Wednesday afternoon was moved to Collier Boulevard.
Florida Highway Patrol is still closely monitoring the conditions in this stretch of the interstate and there is no timetable set for it to reopen. Troopers tell Fox 4 that the closure should continue the rest of the day.
The Florida Highway Patrol would like to remind everyone that *FHP (*347) dialed from any cell phone should you need any roadside assistance.
You can monitor live traffic conditions on the Fox 4 Traffic Page.
DETOUR ROUTES:
*Southbound/Eastbound I-75 Traffic: Take Exit 101, turn right on Collier Boulevard, then turn left on U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail). Continue eastbound on U.S.41 to S.R. 29. Turn left onto northbound SR 29 to return to I-75. Turn right onto the eastbound entrance ramp.
*Southbound/Eastbound alternative: Take Exit 111 and turn left onto eastbound Immokalee Road. Turn right onto Oil Well Road to continue eastbound. Turn right onto southbound S.R. 29 to return to I-75.
*Northbound/Westbound I-75 Traffic: Take Exit 80 (State Road 29) north for a northern travel destination, using Oil Well Road/Immokalee Road to return to North Naples or State Road 82 to return to Fort Myers. For a southern travel destination (Naples), take S.R. 29 south to U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail). Turn right onto U.S. 41.
MORE: Fires and heavy smoke spread near Naples
PHOTOS: Tuesday's fire at Picayune Strand near Naples
Waiting to see if they open up 75NB #naples #fire pic.twitter.com/WNAL2hqqMh
— S. Hames McKenna (@essmckn) March 7, 2017
