I-76 closed north of Denver metro area after equipment falls off tractor trailer

Equipment that fell off a tractor-trailer on Monday afternoon forced the closure of Interstate 76. The incident happened about 2:35 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-76 at Dahlia Street north of Commerce City. 

CBS News Colorado's helicopter flew over the scene where it appears at least one piece of construction equipment, such as a frontloader and another item, fell off the tractor-trailer just beyond the overpass. 

That front loader was wedged up against the concrete barriers separating the east and westbound lanes of traffic. Other vehicles were involved in the incident. A tow truck was seen from the helicopter with at least two vehicles loaded onto it. It is unclear whether anyone was hurt. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation told CBS News Colorado that the tractor-trailer struck the Dahlia Street bridge which caused the equipment to fall off the truck. CDOT is working to determine how much damage was caused to the bridge.

All traffic was stopped in the area and firefighters shut down the overpass just before 3 p.m. Dahlia Street over the interstate was also closed to traffic. 

There was also a fuel spill on I-76 and hazmat crews responded to the scene. 

Eastbound lanes were closed at CO 224/70th Avenue due to "safety concerns" according to COTrip.org. 

What caused the incident is being investigated by the Colorado State Patrol. 

Drivers are urged to take an alternate route. There are backups in both directions.

The interstate partially reopened late on Monday.