KANSAS CITY -
A headache for morning commuters continued into the evening drive on Monday after both lanes of I-35 and the Paseo Bridge remained closed hours after a tanker truck hauling about 45,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid crashed and spilled about 500 gallons of acid onto the highway. The southbound lanes re-opened around 4:30 p.m. and northbound re-opened around 8:30 p.m.
There will be some intermittent northbound lane closures on Tuesday morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During those times, only one lane will be closed at a time.
The tanker truck crashed just after 7 a.m. Emergency crews said if it had happened later in the day, more might have been exposed to the hydrochloric acid vapor.
The hold up Monday afternoon was transferring the hydrochloric acid in the wrecked tanker into another one. Once that was done, MoDOT was able to asses that the damage to the pavement was superficial and crews started pavement repairs on Monday night.
The contract with the state of Missouri calls for Paseo corridor constructors to maintain the current Paseo Bridge while it builds the new river crossing.
The driver of the truck from Occidental Chemical Corp in Wichita was trapped in the cab after the accident, but firefighters were able to free him and he was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to be ok.
There were reports earlier in the morning that the nearby Isle of Capri Casino was being evacuated, but police later decided to keep people inside the building to protect them from the fumes.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said that the spill has been contained and none reached the Missouri River. Hydrochloric acid is used in a number of products. It is in fertilizers and dyes in the photographic, textile and rubber industries.
The EPA said short-term inhalation exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation. This document has more information if you think you've come in contact with the acid fumes.
Three firefighters and one police officer were treated and released.
There will be some intermittent northbound lane closures on Tuesday morning, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During those times, only one lane will be closed at a time.
The tanker truck crashed just after 7 a.m. Emergency crews said if it had happened later in the day, more might have been exposed to the hydrochloric acid vapor.
The hold up Monday afternoon was transferring the hydrochloric acid in the wrecked tanker into another one. Once that was done, MoDOT was able to asses that the damage to the pavement was superficial and crews started pavement repairs on Monday night.
The contract with the state of Missouri calls for Paseo corridor constructors to maintain the current Paseo Bridge while it builds the new river crossing.
The driver of the truck from Occidental Chemical Corp in Wichita was trapped in the cab after the accident, but firefighters were able to free him and he was taken to the hospital, where he is expected to be ok.
There were reports earlier in the morning that the nearby Isle of Capri Casino was being evacuated, but police later decided to keep people inside the building to protect them from the fumes.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources said that the spill has been contained and none reached the Missouri River. Hydrochloric acid is used in a number of products. It is in fertilizers and dyes in the photographic, textile and rubber industries.
The EPA said short-term inhalation exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation. This document has more information if you think you've come in contact with the acid fumes.
Three firefighters and one police officer were treated and released.
