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Highway 36 reopens north of Lyons following tanker truck crash, gas spill

Tanker truck crash on US 36_April 27 2021
US 36 at Blue Mountain Road
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UPDATE | Wednesday 5:05 a.m. — Highway 36 has reopened in both directions at Apple Valley Road following a tanker truck crash and gasoline spill.

Jason Clay with Colorado Parks and Wildlife said crews were out in the area Wednesday morning to assess the impact of the spill on the St. Vrain creek. Anybody who sees evidence of the spill downstream — such as dead fish — is asked to take pictures and send them to CPW.

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BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — A tanker truck has crashed on Highway 36 just north of Lyons, prompting a full closure of the highway in both directions.

The truck crashed and rolled over on Highway 36 (N. St. Vrain Drive) near Blue Mountain Road, between Longmont Dam Road and Apple Valley Road, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office announced the closure on Twitter at 12:21 p.m. Tuesday.

The sheriff's office said they expect the highway to remain closed for a "prolonged" time. In an update from Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the highway may even be closed until Wednesday.

According to CSP, the crash is only involving the tanker, which was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline. There was an active leak, but CSP says it has been stopped. They have notified various agencies that the leak may have gone into a waterway, but they didn't have further details on the impact to the waterway or fish.

A cleanup crew is on standby to come in once all of the fuel has been off-loaded from the scene. It's a lengthy process to get fuel off of the highway and they haven't started cleanup yet, according to CSP.

Investigators did not have details on what caused the crash. The tanker driver was taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

The Google Map below shows approximately where the crash occurred.

This is a developing story and will be updated.