Fuel spill causes hours-long closure, traffic nightmare on I-45
HOUSTON -- The Texas Department of Transportation says all lanes have reopened since a fuel spill prompted an hours-long closure of a busy stretch of I-45 during rush hour.
According to Transtar, the accident was verified at 5:48pm on the northbound lanes of I-45 at Richey Road. A spokesperson with the Texas Department of Transportation says the accident involved at least two cars and an 18-wheeler. One the cars hit the heavy truck's fuel tank, causing over 200 gallons of diesel to spill on the highway.
The closure caused a traffic nightmare that stretched back for miles upon miles. It took about two and half hours before crews were able to reopen two of the lanes and another hour to get the highway completely cleared.
"Just put a little groovy music on and just remain calm," said Ken Jones.
While some drivers were able to keep calm, others reach a point of rage.
"I saw a car almost actually hit a family. It was a full vehicle," said Gregory Anderson Jr., who was stuck in traffic for two hours as he was trying to get to Bible study class. "I don't know if Houston's freeways are set up to handle situations like this."
Anderson said he turned up some relaxing music in his car and tried to take deep breaths. He's a master at anger management. He's a teacher in the practice.
"It was very difficult. It almost got in to my feelings," Anderson joked. "I was thinking today after this traffic, I was thinking of taking some of my own classes."
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