PRESTON COUNTY, W.Va. — All lanes of I-68 in Preston County reopened around 1 a.m. Saturday following a crash involving a hazardous material spill.
After hours of cleanup, one westbound lane was reopened around 4 p.m. while eastbound traffic continued to be detoured onto Old Route 73.
No other information has been released.
ORIGINAL STORY:
In Preston County, I-68 is closed between the Bruceton Mills and Coopers Rock exits due to a crash and chemical spill.
Director of the Preston County Office of Emergency Management Justin Wolfe said deputies from the sheriff’s department and members of the Bruceton Brandonville Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene of the tractor-trailer crash at 5:49 a.m. Friday.
“Upon their arrival they did confirm the vehicle accident along with an unknown chemical release from the vehicle,” Wolfe said. “They shut down I-68 in both directions at that time.”
Officials determined the chemical exposure was phosphonic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the production of pesticides like glyphosate. A private contractor was called to the scene to begin the chemical cleanup.
“That tributary is not flowing, and the spill has been dammed and contained at this time,” Wolfe said. “So, there’s no further migration of that material downstream.”
Hazmat teams responded initially to assess the spill and take steps to contain it. Once the spill was contained, officials from the state Department of Environmental Protection activated the private contractor. In addition to the cleanup, Wolfe said they are also monitoring the air in the area as a precaution.
“They’re geared up more to getting out on the scene, containing it, and keeping it from spreading,” Wolfe said. “The environmental cleanup crew will come in, a private contractor and hazmat specialist that will take care of the cleanup activities.”
The detour runs alongside the interstate but is much more narrow and not designed for larger traffic or the volumes expected during the closure.
“The detour route is Old Route 73,” Wolfe said. “Which runs parallel to the interstate, from the 15-mile marker to the 22-mile marker where the interstate is closed.”
Wolfe urged motorists to slow down, be patient, and do what you can to get through the detour accident-free. The estimated time to reopen the interstate is unknown at this time.
“Watch for people that aren’t familiar with that roadway that are traveling through the area,” Wolfe asked. “So, slow down and be aware there will be increased travel times because there are stop signs at both ends.”
One person was transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.