I-10 reopened after chemical spill cleanup
FOX10 viewer Shaun sent this message to ReportIt@Fox10tv.com, showing an overturned tractor trailer. Posted: Aug 06, 2015 4:58 AM EST Updated: Aug 06, 2015 6:03 AM EST
By Cassandra McAboy, FOX10 Digital Reporter
By Steve Alexander, FOX10 News Reporter
GRAND BAY, AL (WALA) -
Nearly 18 hours after a tanker overturned on Interstate 10 near Grand Bay crews have removed the tanker and reopened the eastbound lanes.
The tanker overturned around 11 a.m. Wednesday, spilling chemicals in the road and leaving it closed until 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
According to Steve Huffman with Mobile Fire-Rescue, "the tanker spilled less than five gallons of nitrobenzene."
Officials were optimistic they might be able to open the roadway around 7 p.m. Wednesday, but that plan was scrapped after the pump on the transport truck failed. The removal of the hazardous material was at a standstill as they waited on a backup truck to get on scene to resume the job.
Nitrobenzene is an organic compound which is a water-insoluble pale yellow oil with almond-like odor. It freezes to give greenish-yellow crystals and is produced on a large scale from benzene as a precursor to aniline.
Authorities diverted drivers on the Eastbound side of the road away from the scene near Grand Bay. We're told at one point traffic was backed up more than 13 miles across the Mississippi state line.
The Mize family was traveling from Texas back home to South Carolina. They had hoped to stop at the U.S.S. Alabama.
"We never made it there. We were 30 minutes away and came to a standstill," said Melanie Mize.
More than five hours of waiting in traffic, they have not made it far. As a truck driver Robin said he's seen his share of crashes and backups.
"I've seen quiet a few and that's one of the worst traffic jams I've ever been in ... in my 25 years of truck driving. That was a really long traffic jam," said Robin Mize.
The driver of the tanker was transported to a local hospital and has since been released after being treated for minor injuries. It's still not clear if any charges will be filed as the crash remains under investigation.
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