I-80 westbound expected to reopen later today following hazmat incident

LARAMIE, Wyo. – Interstate 80 from Laramie to Walcott is expected to reopen later today following cleanup from a hazmat situation that began Wednesday, Jan. 16.

At around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday morning, a truck carrying some hazardous materials crashed on I-80 near MM 270, which is just west of Arlington. WYDOT crews closed the road to westbound traffic around 11 a.m. to make room for the cleanup process.

As a result of the crash, some of the truck’s contents broke open and spilled onto the roadway. WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol identified some of the material as hazardous and the trucking company contacted a hazmat cleanup crew from Denver, Colorado, to assist with the spill.

Brand Fogg, WYDOT’s Area Maintenance Supervisor in Arlington, said the hazardous chemicals included hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and flammable materials.

The first hazmat cleanup crew arrived on scene around 7:45 p.m. However, they determined they were not equipped to clean up the material and a second hazmat crew, also from Colorado, was contacted.

The second crew arrived on site around 3 a.m. and was wrapping up the cleanup process this morning. The tractor and first trailer have already been removed from the highway.

As the cleanup finishes, Fogg said WYDOT maintenance is also monitoring the road surface for any damage the chemicals may have caused. Maintenance will also need to salt and sand the road before it opens.

Snow, combined with sustained winds of more than 30 mph and gusts around 60 mph, hampered the cleanup process.

No one was hurt in the crash.

As of 9 a.m., I-80 westbound is projected to open later today.

U.S. 30 westbound will also reopen at the same time as I-80, as will WYO 210, which has been closed to all but local traffic. I-80 from Cheyenne to Laramie was closed due to truck parking being full in Laramie.

WYDOT and WHP received assistance from numerous agencies in Albany and Carbon counties as well as the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security.

“We want to thank our partner agencies for their help with this incident,” said Tom DeHoff, the district engineer in Laramie. “We also want to thank the public for being understanding and patient during this unique situation. Safety is our top priority.”

Visit WYDOT's 511 website for the latest on reopening times.