3 cars hit after concrete truck knocks down utility line in I-77 construction zone

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Troopers said a portion of Interstate 77 in Huntersville was shut down Tuesday after a concrete truck knocked down a utility line.

Officials closed the southbound lanes of I-77 near Sam Furr and Gilead roads around 11 a.m. after a concrete truck backed into one of the lines inside a construction zone and knocked it down.

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Channel 9 learned three cars were hit when the Spectrum Cable line dropped across the interstate.

Officials said an SUV had to be towed away from the scene after the fallen line pulled its hood off as it drove by.

No injuries were reported.

Lunchtime traffic was backed up for miles on I-77 as crews worked to get the line off the road.

Sugar Creek Construction was responsible for the concrete supplier that hit the line.

Troopers said the truck driver has been ticketed.

Troopers don’t believe the line was hanging too low but said the grade of the road was being built up, which may have put the line in danger of being hit.

According to officials, the insurance company that covers the truck will likely be responsible for damages.

Troopers said there has been at least one other incident in Charlotte involving a cable getting caught by trucks on the interstate.

Sugar Creek Construction sent Channel 9 the following statement:

"A safety review will take place internally with the supplier to determine what happened and to prevent any future incidents."

Statement from I-77 Mobility Partners:

“We understand a subcontractor hit an overhead utility line while working, which resulted in the closure of a section of the express lanes and general purpose lanes for a period of time earlier today. As the developer, safety across the corridor is a top priority in our operations. I-77 Mobility Partners is working closely with our contractor to determine the cause of the incident and how it might be prevented in the future."

Statement from Charter: 

“We are looking into why multiple communications providers lines, including ourselves, were pulled down by this accident today.”

All lanes reopened just before 12:30 p.m.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. 

Cox Media Group