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Jan 9, 2008 11:31 pm US/Central

Morning Commute Should Be OK After Tanker Spill

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― All ramps and roads are now open after an accident involving a tanker spilled a significant amount of fuel, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the truck rolled over shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday it tried to navigate the ramp from westbound Interstate 94 at Hennepin Avenue to westbound Interstate 394.

Fire crews arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and began to form a dam in an effort to prevent fuel from contaminating nearby sewers. The dam contains approximately 700 to 800 gallons of gasoline.

The remaining gas flowed in the storm sewer system and is exiting the system just north of 10th Avenue at the site of construction for the new I-35W bridge. Construction activity was stopped for sometime in that area, but resumed around 5:30 p.m.

According to Kent Barnard of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the truck held about 8,000 gallons of fuel and was, at one point, leaking as many as 100 gallons a minute. The accident sent about 7,000 gallons of gasoline into the city's streets and sewers.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, as of 9 p.m. Wednesday night crews managed to get about 2,000 gallons of fuel and water out of the sewers so far. They plan to work all night. Firefighters are also out checking around town for any fumes.

According to the MPCA, the gas did not get into the city's drinking water.

"The city of Minneapolis drinking water supply is upstream from the incident site so it's impossible for it to get into it," said Jason Moran of the MPCA.

Officials will also meet Thursday morning to determine how cleanup will proceed.

By 6 p.m. Wednesday night several tow trucks were able to turn the tanker upright and remove it from the area.

Thousands of motorists found themselves facing detours throughout the day and early evening.

People in the area noted the strong smell of gasoline in the air, raising concerns about possibly hazardous fume levels.

The tanker involved in the crash is from Mielke Oil Company, Inc. based out of Little Falls, Minn. Authorities said the driver, Allen Bernard Heck of Princeton, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Neither the driver nor the company he works for will comment on the accident.

The Minnesota State Patrol is continuing to investigate and has not determined what caused the crash. They are also investigating whether or not criminal charges could be filed against the driver of the tanker.

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: At 7:15 p.m. Wednesday trucks bearing the detour arrows folded up and drove away, and one sedan was there to follow, ready to hit the highway.
CBS