A portion of I-75 closed due to rising river

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A portion of Interstate 75 is closed Friday night due to flooding from the Myakka River, the Florida Department of Transportation said.

Due to the rising water, FDOT said I-75 is closed in both directions from mile marker 179 (North Port/Toledo Blade Blvd) to mile marker 191 (Englewood/Jacaranda Blvd).

FDOT said drivers planning to travel to Southwest Florida on I-75 should seek an alternate route or take the following detours:

drivers on the road south on I-75:

• A detour will be in place at exit 257 (Brandon) to direct motorists east on SR 60 to US 98.
• If a motorist chooses to continue southbound on I-75, they can proceed only to exit 191 (Englewood/Jacaranda Blvd).
• At exit 191, motorists must exit and make a U-turn and return northbound.

drivers on the road northbound on I-75:

• A detour will be in place at Exit 141 (Palm Beach Blvd) to direct motorists east on SR 80/US 27 onto US 98.
• If a motorist continues north on I-75, they can only proceed to exit 179 (North Port/Toledo Blade Blvd).
• At exit 179, motorists must exit and make a U-turn and return southbound.

Motorists should avoid I-75 between mile markers 179 and 191.

FDOT and the Florida Highway Patrol said they would continue to monitor the river and bridge.

Significant delays are expected in the region.