A damaged semi is seen on I-80 near Houbolt Rd. following an overnight crash Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
Matthew Grotto

UPDATE: As of about 9:30 a.m., the westbound lanes of I-80 at Houbolt Road remained closed for crash investigation and cleanup, according to a Joliet District Illinois State Police trooper, though the trooper said the road was expected to be reopened to traffic "momentarily."

UPDATE: Illinois State Police expect the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 to reopen to traffic about 9 a.m.

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JOLIET - Two semi-trucks collided on Interstate 80 early Wednesday, killing one of the drivers and closing the expressway to westbound traffic in Joliet, state police said.

The two tractor-trailers were traveling near Houbolt Road when they collided about 3:42 a.m., said Illinois State Police Sgt. R.A. Caves.

One of the truck drivers was killed in the collision, the other was unharmed, state police said.

Motorists were redirected along a detour route while the westbound lanes were closed for a crash investigation, state police said.

The detour directed motorists along U.S. Route 6, to I-55, which reconnects with I-80 several miles to the north.

Caves said I-80 may not be reopened until about 7 a.m.

No one had been cited for the crash as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Reporting by Sun-Times Media Wire

Sun-Times photographer Andrew Nelles took a drive on to the newly reopened Lower Wacker earlier today, giving us an idea of what it looks like after several years of construction.