Power lines fall over I-85, causing interstate shutdown in both directions

CHARLOTTE — A vehicle struck power lines near I-85 early Saturday morning, causing the lines to fall over the interstate and close the road in both directions.

>>> CHECK CHANNEL 9′S TRAFFIC MAP FOR ALTERNATE ROUTES.

The incident happened just before 8 a.m. Saturday on I-85 near North Graham Street. The highway reopened just before 10 a.m.

NCDOT provided these detours for drivers:

• Southbound travelers must take Exit 48 (I-485 Outer). Continue on I-485 to Exit 23 (I-77 South). Continue on I-77 South to reaccess I-85.
• Northbound travelers must take Exit 38 (I-77 North). Continue on I-77 North to Exit 149 (I-485 Inner). Continue on I-485 to reaccess I-85.

More than 800 customers in north Charlotte are left without power, according to the Duke Energy Power Outage Map.

Channel 9′s photographer was stationed at the overpass on North Graham Street and saw Duke Energy maintenance people fixing the lines around 8:30 a.m.

Duke Energy estimates power will be restored by 11:30 a.m.

This is a developing story; check wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH: Young trick-or-treater hit by truck out of ICU)

Young trick-or-treater hit by truck out of ICU

©2023 Cox Media Group