Route 1 Reopens In Both Directions Following Gas Spill

LINDEN, NJ — Route 1 in both directions has reopened as of 1 a.m. Thursday after a tanker truck flipped over spilling 9,000 gallons of gasoline Wednesday morning.

The spill had been causing havoc all day Wednesday since the incident at around 8:30 a.m. when a tractor trailer driving north on S. Stiles Street tried to a left turn southbound onto Route 1 when it turned onto its side, Linden Police report.

The tanker ruptured during the crash, spilling the contents.

The Crown Inn on Route 1 was evacuated around noon and Linden Firefighters were going door-to-door to measure air quality levels, Linden Police report.

Route 1 was closed both directions between Pleasant Street and S. Wood Avenue as a result until about 7:30 p.m. when the northbound side reopened. Route 1 southbound towards Rahway remained closed between S Wood Avenue and S. Stiles Street until 1 a.m. on Thursday due to cleanup.

Wheeler Park had also been closed to pedestrian traffic but has since reopened.

The driver of the truck was treated on scene for minor injuries by Linden Fire Department personnel and released. Union County Hazmat personnel coordinated the cleanup efforts, police report.

(Images via John Francis Roman)

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