UPDATE: All lanes of I-95 south have reopened to traffic.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. - Twelve hours after a tractor trailer accident caused big back ups on Interstate 95 near the Woods Edge Road and Ruffin Mill Road area some of the lanes reopened.
Cleanup is complete following the crash and the scene has now transitioned into a work zone as crews mill and pave the damaged left and center southbound lanes near mile marker 57.
“The pavement in the left and center southbound lanes have sustained significant damage from the fuel spill,” said Rob Bowman, district maintenance engineer, “With more rain headed to the area, the necessary repairs may last through the evening hours.”
The lanes will remain closed until the road can be repaved as weather permits. Drivers can expect delays heading southbound until the work is complete. There is currently a mile backup beginning near the Woods Edge interchange.
Police said that at 6:07 a.m. Thursday a Jeep traveling southbound struck a southbound tanker truck. The tanker ran off the left side of the interstate, struck the jersey wall and overturned onto its side. The impact of the crash caused the tank to rupture and Chesterfield Fire and EMS Hazmat crews responded to help manage the spill. The tanker was loaded with gasoline, which is currently in the process of pumped out of the tank in order to contain the leak.
The driver and two passengers in the Jeep were transported to Chippenham Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries, police said. The driver of the tanker truck was transported to VCU Medical Center for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, no charges made at this time.
Motorists are advised to find alternate routes to avoid delays.
