Westbound Interstate 70 back open after semi-truck crash

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Traffic is now back to normal after a semi-truck crashed on Interstate 70 early Thursday morning, shutting down the westbound lanes in Columbia.

The semi and trailer were removed from the road around 5:30 a.m. and traffic was moving back to normal around 5:40 a.m.

An ABC 17 News videographer on scene saw a semi-truck with heavy front-end damage, blocking both lanes near the Connector in Columbia. The eastbound lanes appeared to be unaffected.

An update from Boone County Joint Communications sent just before 5:30 states the Northbound and southbound Connector over I-70 is temporarily closed.

At least three Columbia Police Department vehicles are currently seen blocking off the road. A Columbia Fire Department engine was also on scene.

ABC 17 News saw traffic being rerouted to the 128A exit. A tow truck arrived at the scene just before 3:30 a.m. A second tow truck arrived shortly later.

Crews were seen picking up debris in the road around 4 a.m.

The MoDOT Traveler Map showed traffic backed up near the accident. The map reported the incident just before 4 a.m. and estimated the closure would last about an hour.

A Boone County Joint Communications alert was sent out around 2:30 a.m. stating, "I70 westbound near the Connector closed due to Semi accident. Choose alternate route."