Dangerous chemical spill closes Hwy. 406 for hours

Transport truck was leaking hydrochloric acid, leaving ‘frustrated’ drivers, OPP says

Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment was called to the scene of a hydrochloric acid spill that closed Highway 406 in both directions through St. Catharines Wednesday.

St. Catharines Fire Services Deputy Chief Trevor Parker said firefighters were dispatched at 12:30 p.m. and reported that the acid from a northbound tractor-trailer was leaking into the median of the highway.

Parker said no one was injured in the incident and a mediation company was contacted along with the ministry.

Ontario Provincial Police Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said the truck was carrying 9,000 kilograms of hydrochloric acid, which had to be off-loaded before the highway could reopen.

“I expect the cleanup crews will be on site for several hours and likely into the evening and overnight as well,” Schmidt said.

Offloading the 9,000 kg of acid and repaving of the road would be required prior to reopening, OPP said on Twitter.

“We may be able to open up the southbound lanes earlier than the northbound, but the northbound lanes will be shut down for sure in the afternoon and most likely into the evening.”

In an update posted to Twitter at 2:50 p.m., Schmidt said he still didn’t have a timeline for the cleanup.

“Hydrochloric acid is obviously a dangerous good,” Schmidt said. “It’s an irritant. We are working on getting the situation cleaned up as quickly as possible.

“I know drivers in the area are going to be frustrated, so they will want to avoid Highway 406,” he added.

‘‘ Hydrochloric acid is obviously a dangerous good. SGT. KERRY SCHMIDT ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE