Hazmat Spill Closes I-70 In High Country
FRISCO, Colo. (CBS4)- Eastbound Interstate 70 between Vail and Silverthorne had to be closed because of a hazardous material spill Wednesday morning.
A semi carrying lime spilled just before 10 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of I-70 at mile marker 203. About eight 50-pound bags spilled onto the highway. Lime is corrosive and has a variety of uses. The concern is it could damage vehicles.
The Colorado Department of Transportation closed both directions of I-70 between Breckenridge and Silverthorne for about an hour. Westbound lanes opened at 11 a.m.
Hazardous materials worked to clean the lime from the road. Because of its corrosive nature crews couldn't clear the area with water because it could cause some major damage.
Instead crews used citric acid to neutralize the lime. Once the lime neutralized crews worked on clearing it from the interstate.
The Colorado Department of Transportation expanded the closure to include Vail just after noon. At 5:30 p.m. I-70 remained closed at Frisco at Silverthorne. All eastbound passenger traffic was exiting at Frisco and commercial traffic was being held at Dotsero.
