BENTON – Franklin County Emergency Management reported Wednesday evening that a semi had to be backed down Illinois 37 from Benton south to Yellowbanks Road because it could not continue north with its wide load.

According to an alert sent out by emergency management around 5:50 p.m., officials said truck had to be backed down the highway until it found a safe place to turn around.

Motorists were told to completely avoid Illinois 37 and would be re-routed if they entered the area.

Franklin County Emergency Management sent out another alert around 6:50 p.m. saying traffic had returned to normal on Illinois 37 south of Benton.