LA GRANDE — A truck carrying a large section of a windmill tower crashed while traveling westbound in Eastern Oregon shutting down Interstate 84 for a large portion of Wednesday, March 13.

The initial closure impacted travel between Baker City and Ontario beginning shortly before 10 a.m., according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. However, over the course of the day, ODOT expanded the closure. 

Around 3 p.m. the eastbound lanes of I-84 were closed between Exit 216, 7 miles east of Pendleton, to Exit 304, 2 miles north of Baker City, while both directions remained closed between Exit 304, 2 miles north of Baker City and Exit 374, 3 miles west of Ontario.

U.S. Highway 30 and Oregon Highway 245 were also closed to non-local vehicles given that they are not viable detour routes for interstate traffic.

Tow-trucks responded to the crash site to remove the truck and trailer. However, crews had to wait for a crane to remove a section of the windmill tower. Shortly before 8 p.m. ODOT reported that a crane was on scene and working to remove the tower. 

A photo shared by the Oregon Department of Transportation showed what appeared to be a semitruck on its side. A windmill section blocked the roadway.

The interstate reopened around 2 a.m. on March 14, according to Public Information Officer Vicki Moles. ODOT is not aware of what caused the crash, but Moles said that as far as she is knows no one was injured.