Interstate 44 closed near Waynesville for hazmat spill

Interstate 44 was closed in Pulaski County on Thursday morning while crews work to clean up a hazardous materials spill after a tractor-trailer crash.

Sgt. Mike Mitchell with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop I said two 55-gallon drums containing sodium hydrosulfide spilled in the crash west of Waynesville, which Troop I warned drivers about just before 10 a.m. Troopers said the eastbound lanes opened a little after noon. Westbound lanes remained closed.

Both east and westbound lanes of Interstate 44 at the 149.8 mile marker will be closing soon due to a tractor trailer crash involving hazardous materials. Fire department and Haz Mat team from Fort Leonard Wood are in route.

— MSHP Troop I (@MSHPTrooperI) February 28, 2019

The chemical is hazardous to humans and is used in the leather tanning, pulp and paper, chemical, dye and mineral extraction industries.

A hazmat team was checking pH levels to see if it was safe to open the eastbound lanes at about 11 a.m.

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