Vermont Route 9 has reopened to traffic days after an equipment failure caused a tractor-trailer carrying a highly flammable chemical to separate on a steep incline.
The truck was hauling the chemical cargo from Memphis, Tennessee, to a Sherwin Williams plant in Searsport, Maine, when the tractor and trailer unexpectedly detached.
Although the container did not leak, response crews exercised extreme caution due to the volatile nature of the cargo. Bennington Rural Fire Chief Stephen Walters noted that even a single spark could have triggered a catastrophic explosion or toxic airborne release.
Because the chemical required a specialized tanker to transport, the road remained closed while authorities arranged for an appropriate replacement trailer to safely offload and clear the hazardous material.
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