Cleanup of diesel spill closes lane on Maine Turnpike
A tractor trailer spilled several hundred gallons of diesel over nearly a mile-long stretch of the southbound Maine Turnpike in Cumberland early Monday, spurring authorities to close down a southbound lane for hours to cleanup.
Maine State Police responded to the incident on Interstate 95 near mile marker 58 in Cumberland at about 1:20 a.m. on Monday, spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a news release.
Investigators believe the tractor trailer, owned by Lowe and Bassett LLC, was hauling asphalt “when an axle broke, puncturing the truck’s diesel tanks and hydraulic lines,” Moss said.
“The truck continued for approximately three-quarters of a mile, spilling several hundred gallons of diesel fuel before coming to a stop,” Moss said.
The right southbound lane in the area was still closed as of about 1:30 p.m., Moss said, and was expected to remain so for several more hours.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Maine Turnpike Authority are assisting in the cleanup.
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Drew is the night reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He previously covered South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth for the Sentry, Leader and Southern Forecaster. Though he is from Massachusetts,. More by Drew Johnson
