Watch CBS News

Overturned Tractor Trailer Crash Leads To Closure Of Inbound Lanes Of Parkway East, Prompts Major Traffic Delays

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- An early morning tractor trailer crash had parts of the Parkway East closed for hours and cleanup efforts stretched into the later morning.

The roadway was closed near the Edgewood/Swissvale exit for several hours after the crash happened around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday. It had traffic at a standstill for hours.

Parkway East Crash
(Photo Credit: KDKA)

"It's not the norm. It's been a while since it's been shut down for hours," nearby neighbor Joe Matta said.

The driver of the truck was reportedly able to get out of the vehicle on his own.

Part of the trailer stretched into the outbound lanes. Some of its cargo spilled into the road and there was also damage to the median. For several hours, the inbound lanes were closed while the outbound lanes had one lane open due to emergency vehicles blocking the other lane.

Tow trucks arrived shortly after 5 a.m. Just after 7:30 a.m., both the truck cab as well as the trailer were uprighted. The outbound lanes of the roadway reopened around 7:45 a.m. and one of the inbound lanes reopened just after 8:30 a.m. State police still had to periodically close it as cleanup and their investigation continued.

"Just came down to see what's going on. Looks like they have everything cleaned up," Matta said.

There's been no word what led up to the crash.

"It looks pretty miserable, but it looks like they got it cleaned up a little bit quicker than when I checked my phone on the walk down," Matta said.

The highway reopened completely at 1 p.m.

Stay with KDKA for more on this developing story. 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.