Charlotte traffic: Nearly 300 gallons of spilled paint causing delays on Brookshire Freeway

Nearly 300 gallons of white paint spilled onto outbound Brookshire Boulevard at the southbound Interstate 85 ramp on Friday, causing significant traffic delays for hours.

The paint was in a large container that fell off the back of a flatbed truck, said Jordan-Ashley Walker, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The paint spilled about 8 a.m., closing the two right lanes on Brookshire and a lane on the ramp to I-85 North, Walker said. Traffic was using the two turn lanes to bypass the paint.

When the paint container overturned, the paint initially pooled on the road, Walker said. As traffic drove over the paint, it spread beyond the spot of the initial spill, she said.

State highway workers monitored cleanup efforts that were expected to last into the afternoon. They also provided traffic control.

Motorists were encouraged to avoid the area if possible.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 6:51 AM with the headline "Charlotte traffic: Nearly 300 gallons of spilled paint causing delays on Brookshire Freeway."