Brookshire Freeway back open after strong winds blow down traffic lights

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Strong winds are being blamed for bringing down traffic lights and utility lines on the Brookshire Freeway at Interstate 85 early Thursday morning, which forced police to block the roadway for seven hours.

The road was reopened around 3 p.m.

The lights and lines came down around 7:30 a.m., causing a crash involving a truck, according to officers.

All Brookshire Freeway inbound traffic was diverted onto I-85 southbound, while Brookshire Freeway northbound traffic was diverted onto I-85 northbound.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said drivers could access the ramp to I-85 northbound from NC-16 northbound but couldn't cross the bridge.

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