Interstate 40 Cleared of Overturned Truck, Traffic

Just before 1 p.m., crews moved the tractor-trailer -- which was hauling a fleet of cars -- from the median where it overturned to the side of the highway.

The accident happened near the intersection of I-40 andI-540at 9:29 a.m., creating backups on both sides of the interstate from Durham to Raleigh.

For much of the morning, eastbound traffic was backed up toFayetteville Roadin Durham. Westbound lanes were backed up to Wade Avenue in Raleigh.

By 12:30, theN.C. Highway PatrolandDurham Policemanaged to open two of the four eastbound lanes to traffic.

The Highway Patrol says the tractor-trailer, which was headed east, hit two cars before overturning onto the median barrier, knocking out 125 feet of guard rail.

The driver of the tractor-trailer tells authorities he was trying to avoid a Jeep Cherokee which was hydroplaning.

All of the cars being transported remained attached to the tractor-trailer. No one was injured.