Southbound lanes on I-77 reopen after firefighters clear hazardous material spill
A hazardous-material spill closed Interstate 77 southbound in Charlotte during the start of the afternoon commuter rush Wednesday, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.
“Expect significant delays,” Charlotte Fire officials said on Twitter at 4 p.m.
The southbound lanes reopened just before 7 p.m., according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
“However, 5 miles of congestion remains,” officials said on DriveNC.gov.
The material spilled from a tractor-trailer at the Nations Ford Road exit, officials said.
A box trailer leaked a fluid identified as Glutaraldehyde, which can irritate the skin, fire officials said on Twitter at 5:51 p.m.
“There is no danger of contamination to public, environment or surrounding area,” according to the Charlotte Fire Department tweet.
Officials have not said if the truck was in a wreck or if anyone is injured.
Southbound traffic I-77 was diverted onto Tyvola Road during the lane closure, the fire department said.
This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 4:34 PM.