U.S. 321 reopening after truck carrying explosives overturns in Gastonia

Traffic is moving again on U.S. 321 in Gastonia after a truck carrying explosives overturned.

The truck wrecked near Rankin Lake.

A little after 4 p.m., the Gastonia Fire Department said all northbound lanes had reopened and that one southbound lane had reopened. The southbound lane will need to close again after a wrecker arrives, fire officials said.

Southbound lanes had been closed at C. Grier Beam Boulevard and northbound lanes had been blocked by law enforcement near Tulip Drive.

The Gastonia Fire Department had previously reported significant traffic delays in the area and was encouraging everyone to find an alternative route.

Hazmat crews were on scene working to secure the truck’s load. According to officials, the truck was carrying ammonium nitrite, fuel oil and blasting caps. The blasting caps were being removed from the tractor-trailer.

Staff writer Rick Rothacker contributed.

This story was originally published September 5, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "U.S. 321 reopening after truck carrying explosives overturns in Gastonia."