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Battery acid spills on Massachusetts Turnpike ramp in Auburn after tractor-trailer crash

Cleanup underway after battery acid spills on Mass Pike following crash in Auburn
Cleanup underway after battery acid spills on Mass Pike following crash in Auburn 01:54

AUBURN - Battery acid spilled onto a Massachusetts Turnpike on ramp in Auburn after a tractor-trailer crashed early Wednesday morning.

The truck was carrying nearly 700 vehicle batteries when it rolled over onto an on-ramp leading from Route 290 to the westbound side of Interstate 90 just after midnight.

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The truck was carrying vehicle batteries when it crashed on a Mass Pike on ramp in Auburn, March 20, 2024. Auburn Fire Rescue

The batteries all contained sulfuric acid.

"The batteries fractured inside the truck and spilled onto the roadway," Auburn Fire Captain Justin Brigham told WBZ-TV.

A hazardous materials team was called in to clean up the mess for several hours overnight.

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The truck was carrying vehicle batteries when it crashed on a Mass Pike on ramp in Auburn, March 20, 2024. CBS Boston

Brigham said the spill is contained and there's no danger to the public. The driver, who has not been identified, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. There's no word yet on what caused the crash.

"The closure impacts travel from I-290, I-395, and Route 12 to I-90 westbound," MassDOT said in a statement. "Drivers needing to access I-90 westbound will be diverted to use eastbound lanes to Interchange 94 to reverse direction."

There will be signs for drivers, but they should expect delays in the area. 

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