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I-15 reopens after semi rollover forces long closure

Posted at 9:46 AM, Oct 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-05 20:09:09-04

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — I-15 in Salt Lake County has reopened after an hours-long closure Wednesday.

Around 9:30 Wednesday morning, an accident involving a semi carrying ammonium nitrate forced the closure of I-15 northbound and southbound near 6100 South, and lightning temporarily forced all public safety personnel at the scene to clear the area.

The Utah Highway Patrol said a white pickup truck hauling a tar trailer caused the accident when the trailer came loose on the highway, striking a tanker truck carrying hazardous material. The tanker flipped on its side with ammonium nitrate inside, a chemical which is used in mining explosions.

“We’re not sure how the trailer came unhitched, but we’ve cited the driver for it,” said Lieutenant Jeff Nigbur of the Utah Highway Patrol.

Around 3:10 p.m. authorities stated that the crashed tanker had been righted and they were in the process of lifting all of the closures with the exception of northbound I-15.

The closure of northbound I-15 will remain in place until the tanker can be safely removed, and the closure starts at the SB-215 interchange, which will allow traffic to be diverted.

“This is probably the biggest traffic event I’ve seen in Salt Lake County in probably 16 years,” Lt. Nigbur said.

“The road closures, it’s an absolute mess in this area,” Lt. Nigbur added.

Previously, all roads within a half-mile radius were shut down as crews worked to move the tanker upright. Just before 2:30 p.m. authorities stated that all personnel were pulled from the area due to lightning strikes, however, a short time later crews were given the all-clear to return.

The closures in place earlier included:

• Northbound I-15 is closed at 9000 S.
• Southbound I-15 traffic will be diverted to westbound I-215.
• Westbound I-215 is closed at Union Park
• Eastbound I-215 is closed at Redwood Rd.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the semi was carrying an emulsion, which must be mixed with another chemical to explode.

UHP said the second trailer on the semi carrying the ammonium nitrate emulsion overturned but was not leaking.

No one was seriously injured.

Around 2:25 p.m. Murray School District stated on Facebook that the crash was likely to result in delays for students busing home from school.