PRIMM, NV (FOX5) -
A tanker overturned on Interstate 15 and caused 4,100 gallons of a corrosive substance to spill in a median, snarling traffic for much of the day near the Nevada state line.
Nevada Highway Patrol reported the accident in the southbound lanes at 6:24 a.m. Friday.
"We had a semi truck carrying some hazmat which overturned. Of course for the safety of everyone, there was going to be traffic in the area so we had to close the I-15 southbound down. Here at the state line we had everyone diverted and heading back into Vegas," said Trooper Loy Hixon with the Nevada Highway Patrol.
At last check, all southbound lanes are open but the northbound side is operating with just one lane open.
Authorities said the cleanup effort was going faster than expect.
"Both directions, northbound and southbound, were impacted as a result of this. On the northbound side, we opened the No. 1 lane a lot quicker than the southbound lane. The southbound lane was very impacted. I heard backups between seven to 10 miles," said PIO Officer Adam Croxton with the California Highway Patrol.
Earlier, NHP said about 10 hours would be needed to clean up the spill.
NHP suggested drivers can take U.S. 95 to Searchlight when driving to California.
For the latest on road conditions, you can visit the FOX5 traffic page.
No injuries were reported.
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The tanker at the center of the I-15 traffic disruption. (Christian Cazares/FOX5)
