Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Chemical spill blocked lanes on I-285 North in SW Atlanta for hours

Traffic was at a standstill on I-285 North before Langford Parkway due to a chemical spill Thursday night.

Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation

Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation

Traffic was at a standstill on I-285 North before Langford Parkway due to a chemical spill Thursday night.
By
Updated Dec 8, 2023

Several gallons of a chemical were spilled onto parts of I-285 in southwest Atlanta, causing northbound lanes to shut down for hours Thursday.

Delays started around 3 p.m. when officials first reported “debris” on the interstate before Langford Parkway, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Atlanta fire officials later confirmed that the concrete-hardening agent containing sulfuric acid spilled from two overturned containers. About 250 gallons were being stored in each container, authorities added.

Contractors were called to the scene to clean up the spill, according to the Atlanta Fulton-County Emergency Management Agency. The agency said that after the spill was cleared, the road had to be assessed. Lanes reopened just before 2 a.m. Friday.

Two HERO workers were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after coming into contact with the spilled substance prior to firefighters arriving at the scene, fire officials confirmed. One employee walked through the road deemed contaminated and another smelled and touched the substance. The extent of their injuries was not provided.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

About the Author

Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.

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