Drivers are stranded for hours, after a tractor trailer overturns on Interstate 40 in Haywood County.
The accident happened at about three a.m.
When the truck overturned, it spilled 100 gallons of chemicals onto the roadway.
The Hazardous Materials Regional Response Team was called in from Asheville, to assist crews from Haywood County and Lake Junaluska.
They say three different chemicals used in the production of truck bedliners were involved.
None of them proved hazardous to the air quality or environment.
They did, however, have to be handled carefully, and for that reason, the clean-up has been slowgoing.
All four lanes of Interstate 40 were shut down until 9:30 a.m.
The eastbound lanes re-opened at that point, followed by one westbound lane at 12:30 p.m.
Crews estimate they will not have the final westbound lane re-opened until 10 o'clock Wednesday night.
The truck driver was not injured in the crash.
He told highway patrol investigators another car cut in front of him too fast, forcing him to slam on the brakes.
He says that's when he lost control, ran off the road, and overturned.
No citations have been issued at this time.
By Heather Graf
Posted at 5:54 pm on 6/24/09
I-40 Accident Causes Traffic Troubles
Posted: Wednesday, June 24 2009, 04:30 PM CDT
