Commuters on the Edens Expressway experienced significant delays Friday afternoon following a multi-vehicle crash that included a diesel spill from a commercial vehicle near Old Orchard Road on I-94; the ensuing cleanup resulted in a temporary closure of all lanes, as reported by NBC Chicago. The chain-reaction incident, which involved at least two other vehicles, led to injuries though the extent was not specified beyond being minor.
The hazardous materials team was dispatched to the scene to manage the spill as traffic was said to have been backed up solidly to the Tower Road exit, these delays stretched upwards of two hours while the lanes remained closed for cleanup in both directions; this was according to NBC Chicago and corroborated by updates from Total Traffic Chicago. Northbound lanes were the first to see relief, reopening shortly after 5 p.m., and southbound lanes followed, opening again shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Local hospitals received the drivers of the non-commercial vehicles involved in the crash, and FOX 32 Chicago reported that their injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening. The accident occurred at approximately 3:10 p.m., which brought responders quickly onto the scene noticing immediately that diesel had been spread across the expressway.
The cause behind the crash remains under investigation as authorities are piecing together the circumstances that led to the commercial vehicle initiating the rear-end chain reaction; and as updates emerge further information may provide insight into the crash sequence Illinois State Police stated all lanes had reopened by around 6:40 p.m. on Friday night, this was according to a statement obtained by FOX 32 Chicago.
