Eastbound 696 Shut Down In Southfield After Gravel Hauler Overturns

SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - Eastbound I-696 was completely closed in Southfield for about two hours on Friday after a gravel hauler flipped on its side, blocking all lanes of the freeway.

It took a hours to clean up the mess, at Greenfield Road, after gravel spilled out across the roadway.

Into the afternoon, only the left lane remained closed after a tow truck was able to drag the damaged truck into the median. All lanes reopened to traffic at around 3:30 p.m. — just in time for the afternoon commute.

A fire engine and EMS were standing by, but no injuries were reported.

Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw said the truck driver was apparently cut off by a white van.

Motorists were urged to avoid the area, using the mile roads or the service drive to get around the scene. Traffic was reported to be backed up for miles as far as Evergreen or the Northwestern Hwy. exit.

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.