Billerica

Route 3 shut down in Billerica after multiple-vehicle crash, fuel tanker spill

Northbound lanes may be shut down on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning due to damaged pavement that needs to be repaired

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Massachusetts State Police and firefighters are at the scene of a multiple-vehicle crash involving a fuel tanker spill on Route 3 north in Billerica on Wednesday morning.

The crash was reported just before 10 a.m. State police said the tanker was carrying several thousand gallons of fuel when it rolled over and is leaking fuel from the top of the tank.

Hazmat and environmental teams are at the scene. State police said much of the fuel the tanker was carrying spilled and there is no word on how long it will take to clean it all up.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said shortly after 9:30 p.m. that the tanker had been removed from the roadway.

Billerica Public Schools warned parents Wednesday night that school bus stop times Thursday morning would likely be affected by the incident.

"Unfortunately, we have no way to predict the exact arrival times at each bus stop but we ask for your understanding on any delays that may occur," Kerry Clery, the district's interim superintendent, said in a message. "Our bus drivers will be working hard to navigate through the morning traffic to safely arrive at all stops on their routes."

A tanker rolled over Thursday morning in Billerica, leading to a massive fuel spill and shutting down Route 3 in both directions.

State police said the driver of the tanker and the driver of one of the other vehicles involved sustained minor injuries. The other vehicles involved were a 2022 GMC Sierra pickup and a 20222 Tesla Model Y SUV.

Performance Trans, Inc., the owner of the tanker truck, said their driver is doing OK but did not have any further comment.

A tractor-trailer rollover on Route 3 in Billerica, Massachusetts, is causing major delays as crews work to clean up a fuel spill on the highway.

MassDOT said all lanes in both directions are closed and detours are in place. The lane closures are expected to remain in place for the "foreseeable future," according to state police. In an update at 12:05 p.m., MassDOT said closures on Route 3 north may be in place Wednesday night into Thursday morning as the northbound lane pavement has been damaged and needs to be repaired.

The ramps from I-495 to Route 2 southbound are also closed.

Drivers traveling through the area are advised to expect delays.

Massachusetts State Police and firefighters are at the scene of a multiple-vehicle crash involving a fuel tanker spill on Route 3 north in Billerica on Wednesday morning.

No further details were released.

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