Lanes reopened after overturned 18-wheeler closes Eastex Freeway ramp to WB 610 North Loop

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Drivers experienced major backups on Thursday after an overturned 18-wheeler caused a complete closure on the Eastex Freeway ramp to westbound 610 North Loop.

According to Houston TranStar, the incident was cleared shortly before 4 p.m.

The Houston Fire Department said the big rig was carrying 44,000 pounds of zinc chloride and that a small amount of the chemical leaked.

A private contract company worked to clean up the scene.

The National Library of Medicine says the chemical can come in multiple states:

• Zinc chloride is a white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water. It is corrosive to metals and therefore irritating to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. It is used for preserving wood, in soldering fluxes, as a catalyst in chemical metals and manufacturing, and for many other uses.

• Zinc chloride solution is a colorless liquid. It is mildly corrosive to metals. It causes burns to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.

WATCH: Overturned 18-wheeler causes complete closure on Eastex Freeway ramp

The Eastex Freeway ramp to WB 610 North Loop is closed after an 18-wheeler overturned, HFD says.

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