BILLERICA, MASS. (WHDH) - Authorities shut down Route 3 in both directions in Billerica after a crash involving multiple vehicles Wednesday morning, including a fuel tanker truck.
Massachusetts State Police said both troopers and Billerica firefighters were called to Route 3 northbound for the crash around 10 a.m.
According to authorities, the crash involved a tanker truck that was said to be carrying “several thousand gallons of fuel.”
Dashcam video shared with 7NEWS showed what appeared to be a pickup truck attempt to switch lanes on Route 3 before striking a passing SUV, then spinning out and crashing into the tanker truck. The tanker then ended up on its side, swinging around on the roadway before coming to a complete stop.
All lanes of traffic in both directions were closed as a result, with police redirecting northbound traffic at Exit 76 and southbound traffic at Exit 79.
Flying over the scene, SKY7-HD spotted the tanker on its side around 10:30 a.m., with the truck taking up three lanes and the breakdown area as fluid continued to leak out of it and into the roadway’s median.
In an advisory, the MassDOT added that ramps from I-495 to Route 3 southbound were also closed as a result of the crash.
State police later confirmed the driver of the tanker that crashed as well as the driver of another vehicle involved in the crash both suffered minor injuries. The wife of the man driving the Tesla told 7NEWS her husband was OK.
By Wednesday evening, the roadway remained closed in both directions as cleanup efforts continued.
Special foam-spraying equipment was brought in to cover the fuel that had spilled onto the pavement, while empty tanker trucks were brought in to offload the thousands of gallons of fuel that were still in the tipped-over vehicle.
No timetable for when Route 3 would fully-reopen was given as of 4 p.m., with authorities estimating the roadway may not be open until Thursday morning.
State police shared an update shortly before 9 p.m., saying the tipped-over tanker truck had been righted.
Route 3 remained closed, though, with traffic diverted while crews worked to remove the tanker from the scene.
State police said construction crews were on site to address roadway damage, adding “Efforts will continue into the night.”
Around 9:30 p.m., MassDOT announced the tanker had been removed from scene. MassDOT said crews had also started pavement milling to repair the road surface.
Billerica’s interim superintendent of schools, in the meantime, sent a message to school community members Wednesday warning Thursday morning’s bus stop times would be affected by the Route 3 closure and its impact on traffic patterns in town.
“Unfortunately, we have no way to predict the exact arrival times at each bus stop but we ask for your understanding on any delays that may occur,” said Interim Superintendent Kerry Clery. “Our bus drivers will be working hard to navigate through the morning traffic to safely arrive at all stops on their routes.”
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WATCH: SKY7-HD spots fuel spill on Route 3 following multi-vehicle crash in Billerica
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This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.
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