Update, 8 p.m. — Both northbound lanes of the William Natcher Parkway have reopened now that cleanup is complete following this morning’s molten aluminum spill, but the surface is rough so drivers should still use caution. KYTC will return next week to resurface the roadway.
According to KYTC, nearly 500 gallons of molten aluminum were deposited on the roadway. After initially anticipating needing at least 2 days to get the roadway fully open, KYTC was able to safely reopen both northbound lanes of the interstate just before 8 p.m.
“Once the crash itself was cleared, personnel from KYTC’s Daviess and Ohio County maintenance crews quickly got to work repairing damage done by the metal,” KYTC said in a release. “Crews milled and swept the damaged roadway to remove the now-dried aluminum, then packed the damaged area with base material to create a safe and stable surface.”
KYTC will leave the roadway fully open all weekend for Owensboro’s ROMP festival, then return next week to resurface the damaged area.
Once paving begins, KYTC will repair one lane at a time, allowing the interstate to remain open while work is underway. Motorists should watch for signage alerting them to lane restrictions as they near the site, which is located about a half mile south of the end of the interstate near the Fairview Drive overpass.
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Orignal story — The northbound lanes of the William Natcher Parkway just south of the bypass could be closed for the remainder of the day after a semi hauling three crucibles of molten aluminum overturned this morning. Safety inspectors will need to determine if the pavement is safe enough to withstand traffic before the road can reopen, authorities said.
According to Sheriff Brad Youngman, the cause of the single-vehicle accident is still under investigation. The driver was taken to the hospital with what are believed to be relatively minor injuries.
Youngman said the northbound lanes took the brunt of the spill. Traffic is moving on the southbound lanes but at a slow pace.
The semi has been removed from the scene but it will take hours to clean up the spill. Youngman said the molten aluminum can reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees.
The Kentucky State Highway Department will have to inspect and give clearance before the roadway can reopen. Youngman said it could be closed for the rest of the day.
Youngman said the detour is clearly marked, with traffic being rerouted at the Beaver Dam exit going towards Owensboro on the Natcher Parkway.
View more photos from the scene here, or watch a short video here.
