I-4 lanes reopen after concrete falls on roadway

ORLANDO, Fla. — Interstate 4 westbound has reopened after a large piece of concrete fell on the roadway near Orange Blossom Trail and blocked two left lanes Thursday.

Police said the 54,000-pound concrete slab fell off a flatbed semitrailer truck and was dragged across the highway, partially crumbling as it zig-zagged across I-4.

The slab hit a guardrail and damaged 900 feet of I-4, about the length of three football fields.

The Florida Department of Transportation said it will likely take a couple of weeks to fix the damage. FDOT is not sure how much it will cost to fix the damage yet.

Authorities said they had to bring in special heavy equipment to get the concrete off the road, which is why it took hours to clean up the mess.

OPD said they are reopening all lanes.

The two left westbound lanes near OBT had been closed, with major traffic delays. Those delays are expected to continue through the afternoon rush hour.

The on ramps to I-4 from SR- 408 were also closed to assist with traffic congestion, officials said.

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