Major Traffic Chaos on I-40 After Multi Vehicle Crash Near Anderson Road in Oklahoma City
Early Morning Collision Brings Interstate to a Standstill
A serious crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 near Anderson Road on Wednesday morning created hours of traffic gridlock across Oklahoma City. Commuters faced long delays as vehicles were trapped within the construction zone where the incident occurred.
All Lanes Initially Closed
Authorities shut down all eastbound lanes immediately following the collision, forcing drivers to seek alternate routes. The closure caused an extensive backup stretching several miles, leaving motorists stranded with little movement.
Vehicles Trapped in Construction Barriers
The accident unfolded in a section of I-40 under construction. Three vehicles became pinned between concrete barriers, leaving no room for movement. This bottleneck quickly expanded into a two to three-mile backup, with traffic stretching all the way to Douglas Boulevard.
Partial Reopening and Lane Restrictions
After emergency crews worked to secure the scene, the inside eastbound lane reopened while the outer lane remained closed. Officials also warned drivers of delays in the westbound direction, although no official confirmation of injuries was released at the time.
Tow Trucks and Recovery Efforts
Multiple tow trucks were dispatched to the site, maneuvering in reverse for nearly half a mile along the interstate to reach the damaged vehicles. One car was towed from the scene, while two others were freed and managed to drive away. A fourth vehicle, although not involved in the initial impact, required towing before traffic could be restored.
Traffic Flow Restored
After hours of disruption, crews successfully cleared the crash site. By late morning, traffic flow on Interstate 40 had returned to normal, though drivers had already endured significant delays during the peak commute window.