DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — UPDATE: Both westbound and eastbound lanes of I-20 in Douglasville have reopened following a chemical spill around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. The lanes reopened just before 9 p.m., making for a roughly four-plus hour delay.
Douglas County Fire released a statement Thursday night saying that crews responded to a crash involving a tractor-trailer during the afternoon. When the tow truck got there, a liquid was spotted leaking from the truck, leading to concern about the chemicals being hauled inside.
Crews were working for hours after the interstate was closed to determine if they were hazardous, but it turns out that testing confirmed the chemical was not hazardous and posed no risk to people or to the environment in the community.
There, however, still appears to be backups on I-20 west.
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Original story: Interstate 20 in Douglasville is completely shut down during the busy Thursday afternoon rush hour following a leak from an overturned tractor-trailer on the freeway, according to Douglasville Police.
The spill happened on I-20 west just before State Route 5 and Bill Arp Road. However, due to the hazmat spill, all lanes of I-20 heading both east and west are completely closed as crews work to clean up the spill. The 11Alive SkyTracker said there is a 1,000-foot hot zone in accordance with the chemical spill.
The closure along I-20 stretches from eastbound at State Route 5 and westbound at Chapel Hill Road. Douglasville Police said, "Long delays are expected." Emergency crews are on the interstate working to clean the spill. Firefighters in oxygen masks with oxygen tanks were seen around the spill on the interstate.
It's not clear what exactly spilled onto the interstate at this time. GDOT cameras spotted cars turning around on the interstate.
On Thursday evening, a public safety alert was sent out to people in the area, letting them know about the chemical spill along I-20 with details about the closure and ways to get around. GDOT's estimated reopening of the interstate currently stands at 10 p.m., which would mean the interstate would be completely shut down in both directions for roughly five and a half hours.
West Pines Golf Club confirmed with 11Alive's Cody Alcorn that they are having to close down and clear the course due to the spill. Their address is at 9090 Rose Ave. Douglasville Police said the course was just evacuated as a precaution. 11Alive will keep you updated on the closure.
How to get around
11Alive's traffic expert, Crash Clark, is here to help you get around the closures.
The best alternate route to get around is to take Highway 78/Veterans Memorial Highway. Watch below to see a map of the best alternate route: