PennDOT: Routes 220/26 expected to reopen by 11 p.m.

By Pete Bosak

U.S. Route 220/Route 26 between the Pleasant Gap and the Zion exits will be closed until late tonight p.m. as emergency crews deal with an overturned tanker carrying a hazardous chemical.

The tanker, which rolled over onto its side about 12:45 p.m. in the area of the Pleasant Gap interchange, is carrying tetra hydro furan potassium hydrochloride, which emergency officials say is corrosive and flammable.

Firefighters from Pleasant Gap, along with police, Center County Emergency Management Agency responders and hazardous materials crews were called to the scene, and determined that the tanker is not leaking.

The driver was at the scene with minor injuries, but was refusing medical treatment.

Because of the nature of the chemical, the highway was closed between exits 80 and 82 and all bystanders are being kept a half-mile away, upwind.

“We’re going to handle this the same way as we handle gasoline,” sad Damon Baldini, operation s and training officer with Centre County emergency services.

Emergency crews were planning to transfer the contents of the tanker to another vehicle before trying to right the tanker.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said it expected the highway to reopen by 11 p.m. In the meantime, motorists traveling south on Route 220 are advised to take exit 83 and follow state Route 550 north to state Route 64, then take state Route 26 south, the U.S. Route 322 west back to Route 220.

Motorists traveling north should take exit 78-B to state Route 15 north, and follow Route 150 about eight miles back to Route 220 in Milesburg.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

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