Clean-up crews remain on the scene of a hazardous materials spill in a single semi-truck crash on Interstate 64 near the Woodlawn exit early Thursday night.
Initial information indicates the driver of the semi drifted off the Interstate and overturned in the roadside ditch. There were no injuries.
I-64 westbound is closed from the I-57/I-64 north split in Mt. Vernon west to the Washington County line. Westbound traffic is being detoured at the Mt. Vernon exit 95 of I-57, west to US 51, and then north back onto I-64.
I-64 Westbound travelers from I-57 are detoured to exit at the Mt Vernon exit 95 (IL 15), West to US 51, and North to I-64. Please use caution traveling the area of the detour as there will be increased traffic along westbound Illinois 15.
Fire officials say the truck was carrying ten totes containing 330 gallons each of organic peroxide. The totes began leaking and the product began decomposing and heating up in the process. While there was a concern of the product catching fire that never happened.
Organic peroxide has a slight risk from inhalation, but the chemical getting into the groundwater is more of a concern.
Residents on Magic Road and Huston Road in rural Woodlawn were initially asked to shelter in place as a precaution. That has now been lifted, but residents are warned it could be put back into effect immediately if problems develop with the cleanup.
The truck was uprighted around midnight but clean up is not expected to be completed until sometime after five pm up to midnight when I-64 will be reopened.
