Update March 5 4:25 pm
FDOT just emailed an updated news release. The department says all southbound lanes are still closed.
Click here to see a live look of the back-up on I-75:
FDOT also gave the following guidance to drivers:
Traffic is being diverted off the interstate at Exit 179 onto Toledo Blade Blvd. To re-enter I-75 southbound, motorists should turn right onto Toledo Blade Blvd., then turn left onto Tamiami Trail (US 41), and finally turn left onto Kings Highway to access the I-75 southbound on-ramp.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), approximately 60 gallons of mixed petroleum products (hydraulic oil, diesel, and gasoline) were spilled. Emergency responders, including FHP, Fire and Rescue, local law enforcement, wreckers, and cleanup crews, are actively working to clear the scene, remove the crane and make emergency roadway repairs.
Original Story:
Two semi-trucks crashed Wednesday morning, fully shutting down I-75 South at mile marker 174 near the Kings Highway interchange.
North Port Fire Rescue said there was also a significant hydraulic oil leak.
Florida Highway Patrol reports a crane, going south on I-75, approached the overpass for Berkshire Street. At the same time, an empty tractor-trailer that was hauling a flatbed trailer, was also going south on I-75 and coming up on the very same overpass.
The tractor-trailer driver was going slow, with hazard lights on, troopers said. However, the crane failed to slow down, and rammed into the rear of the tractor-trailer. The crane then flipped over, onto its side.
After the crash, FHP said another vehicle also crashed into the debris.
No one had life-threatening injuries, according to FHP.
Emergency crews and FHP were removing the vehicles from the roadway, as of 12:45 p.m.
