Semi, toll booth fire shuts down Indiana Toll Road in Portage

A semi truck and a tollbooth caught fire on the Indiana Toll Road early Wednesday in northwest Indiana, causing extensive delays during the morning commute.

About 6 a.m., a semi heading east on the Toll Road caught fire while stopped at the Portage Toll Barrier, according to Indiana State Police. The fire then spread to a tollbooth.

No injuries were reported, police said.

All lanes of the Indiana Toll Road were shut down after the crash, but westbound lanes have since reopened, according to police.

Three eastbound lanes at the toll barrier were expected to reopen about 9:45 a.m., police said. The rest of the lanes will remain closed until a structural analysis of the facility can be completed.

“The Indiana State Police asks for the public to use caution and to also be patient while traveling in this area or to seek alternative routes,” according to the statement.

The semi was loaded with potatoes and apples, police said. Damage to the structure and vehicle are estimated at $1 million.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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