Commuters in Newnan faced delays on Friday as a section of GA-34/Bullsboro Drive was shut following an oil spill. The westbound lanes between Interstate Way and Newnan Crossing Boulevard East were closed off after a tanker truck encountered a maintenance issue, resulting in motor oil spilling onto the road. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the Newnan Police Department posted around 11:15 a.m., anticipating the closure would last 4 to 5 hours and advised drivers to seek alternative routes.
The spill occurred when the tanker, which belonged to Universal Environmental Services and was hauling highly contaminated used motor oil, began leaking after the driver engaged the brakes. Despite the potential for environmental hazards, officials indicated that the spill was not a concern for the EPA, as no oil left the confines of the roadway. This information was detailed in a conversation with a company representative, who commented that the spill was an isolated incident not involving any other vehicles and that the truck managed to remain upright. Replies from Universal Environmental Services were limited, providing no further insights into the spill's circumstances, according to a statement obtained by Atlanta News First.
The closure meant that traffic was redirected for the better part of the day, leading to congestion in surrounding areas as drivers navigated detours. While the incident caused inconvenience, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage to other property.
By late Friday afternoon, cleanup crews had managed to address the spill, and the Newnan Police Department confirmed that GA-34/Bullsboro Drive was reopened to traffic around 3 p.m. The quick response in handling the spill and reopening the road ensured that the disruption was kept to a minimum, with normal traffic patterns resuming shortly after the clearance.
