traffic & transit
By Andrea Earnest, Patch Staff
|
WILL COUNTY, IL — Part of I-80 was shut down for several hours Thursday after a semi-truck carrying phosphoric acid rolled over, Illinois State Police said. I-80 westbound is closed between I-355 and Route 30, with traffic being diverted onto I-355.
According to state police, the driver tried to change lanes from the left lane to the right lane. During the lane change, the driver told police the trailer began to sway uncontrollably. The driver lost control of the truck and struck the guardrail on the right side of the road, damaging about 200 feet of the rail, before rolling in the right ditch.
The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured and has been issued a citation for improper lane use.
Police said about 100 gallons of triethyl phosphate in liquid from leaked from the vehicle. Fire department and HAZMAT clean-up teams are on scene, and the spill has been contained. All I-80 westbound lanes remain closed at this time.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes phosphoric acid as safe for human consumption, and it is often used in soda and food.
According to AAA, Thursday afternoon is expected to be the worst time for post-holiday travel, with the heaviest traffic expected between 4:45 and 6:45 p.m.