Lanes on I-75 at Luna Pier Rd. reopen after fallen power line closes freeway

Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 at the Luna Pier Rd. interchange (Exit 6) reopened Tuesday afternoon after a high-tension Consumers Energy power line fell on the road around 9 p.m. during stormy weather Monday.

All lanes were shut down by local law enforcement authorities for safety reasons due to windy conditions in Monroe County allTuesday. Luna Pier Police, Erie Township Police and Michigan State Police directed traffic via detours around the closure while repairs were being made to the electrical line by a crew for Consumers Energy, said Luna Pier Police Chief John Poe.

Motorists trying to get into the City of Luna Pier were directed to S. Otter Creek Rd. in LaSalle or the exit off the freeway and then south on Cousino Rd. to Gaynier Rd. to N. Harold Dr., Poe said.

"We had to send them through alternate routes to get into the city," Poe said.

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced about 12;40 p.m. Tuesday that the freeway had reopened.

Poe said he was returning to Monroe County Monday night while heading south on I-275 near New Boston when he received word from Luna Pier Sgt. John Price about the power line lying on Luna Pier Rd. Poe said there was a “literal whiteout of snow” on I-275 as he drove back that reduced visibility and made it difficult to see.

“From where I got on at S. Huron Rd. all the way to the Telegraph Rd. exit, it was a literal whiteout,” the chief said.

Once he got on I-75 near Monroe, the snow stopped and the highway was clear, he said.

Slick roads were reported elsewhere in the City of Monroe and county due to blowing snow and freezing temperatures.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Lanes on I-75 at Luna Pier Rd. reopen after fallen power line closes freeway