UPDATE: Interstate reopens after closure

Southbound lanes of Interstate 75, near mile marker 185, reopened after 4:10 p.m. Wednesday, following a 12-hour closure.

A dump truck damaged the overpass at Ponce De Leon Boulevard at 2:35 a.m., according to Florida Highway Patrol reports. 

Ponce De Leon Boulevard remains closed at the site for repairs.

Earlier: Southbound Interstate 75, in Sarasota, will remain closed at least until Thursday evening.

The Florida Highway Patrol reports the closure will remain in effect for up to 48 hours, following an accident that occurred at 2:35 a.m. today. According to reports, the dump bed of a dump truck was improperly left in the upright position, and collided with the north overpass side wall as the vehicle passed under the overpassat Ponce De Leon Boulevard; the bed separated from the vehicle and fell to the roadway.

"(Florida Department of Transportation) engineers are out there right now; they are trying to come up with a temporary fix,"  FHP spokesperson Lt. Greg Bueno said. "Other repairs may be needed in the future."

I-75 is closed between the River Road Exit and Sumter Road. Southbound drivers are being directed to exit at River Road and head east to U.S. 41, travel south to Sumter Road and take Sumter west back to I-75, Bueno said.

The impacted section of I-75 will remain closed until the bridge has been inspected and been determined safe for vehicular traffic in all southbound lanes.

"We are going to open it as soon as possible," Bueno said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].