The Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway fully reopened at about 4:45 p.m. Thursday, after the road was closed for about 13 hours by the crash of a tanker carrying liquid asphalt in the predawn hours.
The truck overturned around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday between Connecticut Avenue and Rockville Pike. The left lane reopened shortly after 2 p.m., said Dave Dildine in the WTOP Traffic Center, but traffic was being held intermittently for the cleanup.
The truck’s fuel tanks were also damaged in the crash and were leaking diesel fuel, the Maryland State Police said.
Hazardous material crews were able to protect some of the storm drains, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said. But he said that as they were lifting the tanker, they discovered several other cracks and leaks in the tank.
The driver was taken to a hospital with injuries he described as non-life threatening injuries.
Update: Montgomery County; cleanup continues on I-495 at Exit 35 I-270 after overturned TT crash this morning. The three left lanes are still closed as clean-up continues. Ramp to NB I-270 north is open. Exit 35 remains open. #mdtraffic #mdotnews tr
— MD State Highway Adm (@MDSHA) July 1, 2021
Traffic Advisory (initial Dispatch ~4a) OL I495 beltway near split to NB I270 & Rt355 Rockville Pike, Beltway between Connecticut Avenue & Old Georgetown Road, all lanes blocked, hazmat/hot asphalt spill https://t.co/1p2bAsQwon pic.twitter.com/2XtLg7KoEA
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 1, 2021
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Below is a map of the area:
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP.com for the latest.
