Part Of Ohio River Boulevard Reopens After Chemical Leak
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Part of a busy highway is closed because of a chemical spill.
Ohio River Boulevard was partially closed between the McKees Rocks Bridge and Millerton Avenue this afternoon after a tractor-trailer and a truck collided. It has since reopened.
City of Pittsburgh HAZMAT Director Robert Farrow says the tractor-trailer was involved in a minor accident with a pickup truck and as a result, the driver slammed his brakes very hard, causing his load to shift.
When that happened, the chemical mixture which includes sulfuric acid and is stored in plastic bags, broke open. The material seeped out of the truck and onto the street.
"We have since neutralized it with some soda ash and containing the remaining product leaking out and right now we're just standing by for a contractor to come up and finish the cleanup," Farrow said.
The chemical is described as a minor irritant and no vapors were released. Evacuations were not necessary.
Inbound traffic on Route 65 was detoured for a period of time.
Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
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