I-10 reopens in both directions; traffic moving again

Published Aug 23, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 23, 2012)

Interstate 10 was reopened to both eastbound and westbound traffic this morning, and traffic is reportedly moving smoothly following Wednesday’s daylong interstate closures due to a multivehicle crash involving a tanker truck leaking flammable liquid. Crews performed a "vent and burn" technique late Wednesday night in order to stop the leak from a damaged tanker. State police say the coordinated explosion around 11:45 p.m. successfully burned off the isobutane leaking from the truck. Firefighters on the scene were able to get the flames under control around 1:30 this morning. Westbound lanes were reopened around 6 a.m.; eastbound lanes reopened shortly before 7 a.m. The accident happened when a car flipped on the interstate early Wednesday morning. A tanker truck stopped for the accident and was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler.

Today’s poll question: Do you believe a Baton Rouge loop, if constructed along currently proposed routes, would bring relief to local commuter traffic?