I-4 reopens in Polk County after jackknifed semi blocked eastbound lanes for hours during morning commute
FDOT camera image shows jackknifed semi blocking all eastbound lanes of I-4 near CR-557.
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. - Traffic is once again moving on Interstate 4 in Polk County after grinding to a halt for hours Wednesday morning due to a jackknifed tractor-trailer.
The crash happened around 8:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes before exit 48, near County Road 557 in Lake Alfred.
FDOT traffic cameras showed the semi's red cab dangling off the far shoulder after it appeared to have crashed through concrete barricades, with the trailer sprawled across all three lanes, blocking any vehicles from getting past.
It took several hours for crews to remove the tractor-trailer from the road, while at one point diverting vehicles to turn around and head westbound in order to clear the backed-up traffic.
The roadway reopened around 11:30 a.m.
It is unclear what caused the crash, which remains under investigation.