Drivers stuck for hours after storms bring down power lines on I-77

DAVIDSON, N.C. — Both directions of Interstate 77 near exit 30 were back open hours after fallen trees and power lines caused by Sunday's storms stopped traffic near Davidson.

A tree snapped during the storm and pulled the power lines across all lanes of I-77, near Griffith Street in Davidson. There were traffic back-ups for miles, as hundreds of drivers were impacted.

The most difficult part for motorists was the fact that they had nowhere to go because the interstate is bordered on both sides by Lake Norman.

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials told Channel 9 that it was a challenge to make the repairs. Power crews, who were already slammed dealing with storm damage, had to make their way through traffic to get to the downed lines and then had to fix the power poles which were off to the side of I-77.

Energy crews finished repairs around 8 p.m. after lanes were closed for about four hours.

The traffic was at a standstill, causing major backups for miles, but no injuries were reported.

Cox Media Group