Fire official explains why lanes of I-85 were shut down Thursday for 'obstruction on roadway'
Both northbound and southbound lanes on Interstate 85 near the GSP Airport were shut down Thursday after a power line surge caused the line to fall across the interstate, according to fire officials.
The situation started just before noon when traffic was stopped in all lanes in this area.
Capt. Brandon McNeill with the Pelham Batesville Fire Department said a high voltage power line that runs across Interstate 85 had a power surge and the powerline fell and was laying across the interstate.
He said the power line runs to a nearby business, and due to the surge, there was a fire at it.
No one was injured.
A Duke Energy spokesman told WYFF News 4 that they are still investigating what happened but did say there was an equipment failure of some kind.
All lanes of the interstate reopened at about 12:20 p.m.