All lanes were confirmed reopened to motorists shortly after 10 a.m., restoring normal traffic flow following a major overnight accident that caused significant disruptions.
In Prince George’s County, Maryland, an overnight crash involving a tractor-trailer led to the shutdown of all lanes on the inner loop of I-95/495 just beyond Exit 19 for US-50. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning and caused major delays for commuters traveling through the area. Although traffic was eventually restored, residual delays continued for some time after lanes reopened.
According to Charlie Gischiar, the Deputy Director of the Maryland State Highway Administration, the crash took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. The tractor-trailer struck a section of scaffolding positioned beneath the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highway (MD-704) overpass. The scaffolding had been set up over the inner loop of the Beltway for ongoing construction work. The impact caused substantial debris and structural concerns that made it necessary to close the entire roadway in that direction while crews assessed the situation.
By around 5:30 a.m., officials were able to open a single right lane to allow limited traffic through the scene, but they cautioned commuters to expect a lengthy closure through the height of the morning rush. Drivers experienced significant delays as emergency responders, highway engineers, and law enforcement personnel worked together to remove the damaged equipment and evaluate the safety of the overpass.
Despite the disruption, no injuries were reported, and authorities later confirmed that the structural integrity of the overpass was not at risk. Maryland traffic officials announced that by 10 a.m., all lanes had been safely reopened.
The exact circumstances that led to the tractor-trailer striking the scaffolding remain under active investigation by police. Officials have not yet released further details about what may have caused the vehicle to collide with the construction equipment, and the inquiry is ongoing.
