Overturned Gas Tanker, Fuel Spill Snarls Summit Traffic (Updated)

SUMMIT, NJ - An overturned tanker truck carrying 8,000 gallons of fuel has caused the temporary closing of the Broad Street Route 24 overpass near Middle Avenue Monday morning, according to officials.

As of 3:30 p.m. Morris Turnpike was reopened from Millburn Avenue west toward Hobart Avenue. Eastbound lanes and the Broad Street Route 24 overpass will be reopened once the tanker has been removed and the HAZMAT cleanup is complete.

Officials are urging that motorists avoid the area through the Monday evening rush hour.

The leaking tanker has been contained and the Union County Bureau of Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) team is on scene handling the cleanup, officials said. Broad Street is closed between the Route 24 overpass and Middle Avenue. The Broad Street entrance into Summit is completely closed. Morris Turnpike (Route 124) in Springfield is closed in both directions from Millburn Avenue to Mt. Ararat Road in Short Hills.

Mutual aid was provided by Millburn Fire Department, Scotch Plains Fire Department, Springfield Fire Department, Union County Fire Department and at the scene.

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