Northbound I-77 closed for hours in Cornelius after 2 big rigs collide

CORNELIUS, N.C. — The northbound lanes of Interstate 77 in Cornelius were closed for hours early Wednesday morning after a collision involving two big rigs.

Troopers said the crash happened just before 2:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes near exit 28, Catawba Avenue.

[IMAGES: Tractor-trailer crash shuts down I-77 northbound in Cornelius]

An orange 18-wheeler was speeding, troopers told Channel 9, and clipped the back of a white tractor-trailer that had slowed down in a construction zone.

Neither driver was injured, and authorities cited the driver of the orange truck for speeding.

The collision caused a fuel leak from the orange truck and a HAZMAT team was called to help clean up the roadway before it could reopen.

Traffic was backed up for miles and the Highway Patrol was urging motorists to avoid the interstate if possible.

Both lanes reopened before around 6:15 a.m.

Moments after the northbound lanes opened, troopers had to respond to another crash on I-77, this time in the southbound lanes near Catawba Avenue.

The crash was on the shoulder and though no lanes were closed it was creating onlooker delays.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

Cox Media Group