Tanker rollover brings 95 North to a halt

July 06, 2009 10:54 am

—

NEWBURYPORT -- A fuel spill on the northboubnd lanes Interstate 95 a quarter-mile ahead of Route 113 in Newburyport has closed the highway indefinitely.

Officials at the scene are saying the northbound lanes could be closed all day due to the fuel spill, which is being contained by sandbags. However, officials fear some may be leaking into the Merrimack River.

All traffic has been rerouted around the accident. Northbound traffic is being directed to I-495. Southbound traffic is limited to one lane, is being sent to Route 113 and Route 1.Those roads are also filling with traffic.

Access to nearby overpasses, including Ferry Lane, is also blocked.

All four lanes of traffic were immediately closed when the tanker rolled over at about 9:15 a.m., spilling as much as 200 gallons of fuel.

As many as two other cars may have been involved. A Jeep rolled over on its side and is sitting in a southbound lane, with a tarp over it.

Medflight was called, but it is currently unknown whether a person was transported.

A foam truck is on the scene, as well as Enpro, an environmntal cleanup company. The state Department of Environmental Protection is currently building burms around storm drains to limit leakage into the river.