Traffic moving after hours-long Indiana interstate shutdown

GARY, Ind. (AP) - Power lines fell onto an interstate in northwestern Indiana, forcing traffic to be shut down in both directions for nearly five hours.

Indiana State Police said Wednesday afternoon that traffic was moving again on Interstate 80/94 in Gary after the shutdown, which left some motorists stuck for hours. Police earlier were asking drivers to avoid the area and take alternate routes. Police said both east and westbound traffic had to be diverted off the interstate.

The (Northwest Indiana) Times reports that state police said NIPSCO determined a power line was compromised due to weather. State police say NIPSCO has removed power lines that were on the interstate and will replace the power pole.

NIPSCO spokeswoman Kathleen Szot says the incident knocked out power for about 5,000 customers in Gary and Hammond.