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Toxic Freeway - I-5 Closure

I-5 Opens After Chemical Spill Delay

POSTED: 8:27 am PDT June 13, 2008
UPDATED: 5:46 pm PDT June 13, 2008

A chemical spill near Fort Tejon on Interstate 5 closed the freeway's southbound lanes at the base of the Grapevine Friday morning. All lanes are now open, though commuters should expect delays.

Around 7:30 a.m. a big rig leaked the chemicals methyl ethyl ketone and ethylene oxide in the Fort Tejon area.

The hazardous chemicals are extremely flammable and can cause flash fire. In the form of a toxic cloud, methyl ethyl ketone is harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. The chemical affects the central nervous system and can cause irritation to eyes, skin and the respiratory system.

Southbound I-5 was closed from the base of the Grapevine. Hazmat teams took until about noon to clean the spill.

Interstate 5 is the main artery through California's Central Valley into the Los Angeles area. Commuters should expect delays.

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