Tractor-trailers like this one had to be re-routed up Kountz Avenue and onto Shadyside Avenue into the city of East Liverpool Monday when the northbound lane of state Route 7 became blocked. (Photo by Jo Ann Bobby-Gilbert)

EAST LIVERPOOL — Traffic was snarled for close to two hours Monday afternoon after a combine being hauled by a truck was too wide to fit through a construction zone along state Route 7.

According to Liverpool Township Detective Jared Kinemond, the trucker — whose name he did not have available last night — was driving his vehicle northbound in the construction zone where barriers are situated, reducing the normal two lanes to one.

The driver said he heard the tires on the combine rubbing on the barrier and he stopped rather than allow it to become stuck or tear off the tires, according to Kinemond.

While the driver jacked up the combine so the tires could be removed, township police officers and firefighters directed heavy traffic, which could not continue north since the one lane was blocked.

All northbound traffic was rerouted up Koontz Avenue and Campground Road to Shadyside Avenue into the city, while traffic stopped behind the truck and combine was allowed to turn around and travel south in the northbound lane to be rerouted.

A firefighter said they were on the scene more than 90 minutes.

Kinemond said the Ohio State Highway Patrol was notified, and the Ohio Department of Transportation had a representative on the scene, gathering information. In a Facebook post announcing the reopening of the roadway once the combine was removed, ODOT said the project creating the need for the one-lane roadway is scheduled for completion Oct. 31.

Kinemond said his department did not file any charges against the driver, saying that decision would have to be determined by the highway patrol.

When contacted Monday afternoon, the patrol had no information on the incident.