Truck wreck with hazardous material closes Interstate 40 for 20 miles in NC mountains

Interstate 40 closed by wreck near NC-Tenn. line

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — Eastbound lanes are reopening on Interstate 40 near the North Carolina-Tennessee line after a truck wreck and hazardous materials leak stopped traffic in both directions for several hours.

An official said Wednesday morning they still are dealing with a hazardous material leak that doesn’t pose a danger to the public. Westbound lanes from the North Carolina 20-mile marker to the Tennessee line still are closed.

A single tractor-trailer wrecked early Wednesday in North Carolina, four miles from the state line.

Haywood County, N.C., spokesman David Teague said a hazardous materials crew was at the scene assessing the chemical spill. He said it wasn’t known what chemical was involved.