An overturned tractor-trailer leaked diesel fuel onto Route 50 Thursday morning. As the crews attempted to clean up the spill it caused significant traffic backups. Crews are still working on the fuel leak as of now, but the highway is still open.
Crews were called to Route 50 westbound near the exit for Busch’s Frontage Road at 2:15 a.m. for a report of a single-vehicle crash, said Capt. Russ Davies, spokesman for the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.
Responders found a tractor-trailer had overturned and was actively leaking diesel fuel onto the road, Davies said.
Fuel Leak Closes Highway for Hours
All westbound lanes were closed for at least three hours, Davies said, as the fire department assisted crews with the Maryland Department of the Environment to contain the spill.
Davies added the truck had about 180 gallons of diesel fuel on board at the time of the crash. He did not know how much leaked out but said Hazmat teams were able to contain the leak.
No injuries have been reported, he added. In addition, authorities predict no significant long term damage to the environment in the surrounding area. Hopefully, the authorities are correct, but gasoline is not a good thing for the environment. We’re not exactly huge optimists about the spill having no impact.
As of 7:45 a.m., the left lane of westbound Route 50 was still closed, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration. This shouldn’t impact Baltimore traffic, but you never know.
Tractor-trailers like this one are a big part of the heavy hauling industry. These drivers know how to prevent spills like this from happening most of the time. Of course, no driver can see the future and avoid every possible situation that may come up. However, these events are rare for a reason. From all of us at Baltimore Car Transport, we salute our truckers!
