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WILKES-BARRE —A disabled garbage truck brought traffic to a halt on Interstate 81 northbound earlier this afternoon, according to PennDOT.

That vehicle has been removed — now, a crash involving two tractor trailers in causing even more delays.

PennDOT spokesman Michael Taluto said that the crash is at mile marker 175 on I-81 north. Taluto said the lanes are open, but said traffic has been slowed in both lanes due to the crash.

The Times Leader’s traffic page is indicating free-flowing traffic in both lanes of I-81 north, but motorists should use caution when traveling in the area.

He anticipated that the crash would be cleared by 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Original story

A disabled garbage truck brought traffic to a halt on Interstate 81 northbound, according to PennDOT.

Spokesman Michael Taluto said the garbage truck broke down in the area of mile marker 174. Traffic seems to be at a standstill due to the disabled vehicle.

The Times Leader’s traffic page indicates a large section of stop-and-go traffic in the northbound lane of I-81 in that area.

Taluto said that it is anticipated that the truck will be removed from the roadway at approximately 12:40 p.m. this afternoon.

Motorists planning to use I-81 should considering using alternate routes.