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Firemen on the scene of this morning's tanker rollover at the interchange of Route 128 and I-93. (Globe Staff Photo / George Rizer) |
Truck rollover causes massive traffic tie up
READING, Mass. -- A tanker carrying liquid methane rolled over Wednesday on a ramp to Route 128, shutting down that highway and causing massive traffic tie-ups on other key roads in Boston's northern suburbs.
The tanker carrying 36,000 pounds of liquid methane flipped onto its side around 2 a.m. on the ramp from Interstate 93 north to 128 south, state police Sgt. David Paine said.
The tank did not rupture and no leaks were reported, but police immediately shut down 128 south, Paine said. Officials later closed the entire 128/93 interchange and sections of both highways while they righted the truck and transferred its cargo, Paine said.
All roads were reopened in time for the afternoon commute.
Driver Richard Bailey, 55, of Mechanicville, N.Y., had a minor hand injury, Paine said. The preliminary investigation indicated Bailey was driving too fast when he tried to negotiate the curve. He was cited for speeding, Paine said.
Gov. Mitt Romney met with his legal advisers and believes the state can sue the trucking company for the cost of the cleanup.
Romney also called for legislation requiring companies that haul hazardous materials to be held liable for all costs in the event of an accident if it can be shown that the company was negligent.
The company should not only be held responsible for the cost of the clean up, but also any economic costs to local communities, Romney said.
"It's just inexcusable for anyone to be bringing a hazardous cargo and have associated with that gross negligence and potentially an enormous economic consequence," Romney said.
The truck is owned by Kip Sheldon Trucking Corp. of Rensselaer, N.Y., Paine said. He said it wasn't immediately known where the truck was headed. The company did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.
Officials in neighboring Woburn closed schools because of traffic congestion on secondary roads where drivers headed in hopes of avoiding the mess.
