On July 26, 2014, at approximately 7:45 PM the scene on United States Highway (US)-395 was rendered safe by emergency crews after being closed due to an earlier incident that involved a hazardous material spill from a commercial motor vehicle.  At approximately 8:30 PM US-395 opened to through traffic.

 

 

 

UPDATE: 6PM Saturday:

 

The purpose of this press release is to provide information regarding the ongoing roadway closure on United State Highway (US)-395 from State Route (SR)-182 to State Route (SR)-270.

 

The preliminary information at this time indicates on the morning of July 26, 2014 a semi truck was traveling northbound US-395 near Point Ranch when the driver braked for deer crossing the roadway.  The cargo inside the box trailer shifted and began to leak. The driver noticing material leaking from his trailer pulled over south of Bridgeport, CA and requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol Bridgeport Area (CHP).  A CHP officer arrived on scene and determined this to be a possible hazardous material incident. US-395 northbound and southbound was closed for safety concerns from SR-270 to SR-182. Three individuals related to the incident displayed symptoms associated with exposure and were medically treated.  At this time CHP , Mono County Sheriff’s Office, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, United States Marine Corp Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC) Fire Department, Bridgeport Fire Department, Lee Vining Fire Department, Care Flight, Mono County Health Department and California Department of Transportation (Cal-Trans) are on scene assisting with the  cleanup operations. A Joint Unified Command Post has been established on scene with CHP, Mammoth Lakes Fire and Cal-Trans.

 

It is anticipated the roadway will be closed for several more hours to facilitate cleanup.

 

SR-270 to Bodie State Park is currently open.

 

Alternate routes to avoid the area closed on US-395 includes State Route (SR)-167 and State Route

(SR)-182 out to Nevada. Motorist traveling on US-395 are urged to use these alternate routes to avoid delays.

If requesting additional information, please contact Officer M. Sept at the California Highway Patrol Bridgeport Area Office at (760) 932-7995.

 

UPDATE: 12:00PM: Hwy 395 CLOSED from SR 270 (Bodie Road) to Hwy 182 due to Hazmat Spill (south of Bridgeport)

A big rig carrying several unknown hazardous materials experienced a tank failure while driving southbound on Hwy 395, just south of the Caltrans sign in Bridgeport.

Hwy 395 is still closed to ALL northbound and southbound traffic from SR 270 (Bodie Road) to Hwy 182. Due to the location of the spill, there are no alternate routes around the spill to take traffic around this closure. If you are traveling north of Bridgeport, in the Nevada area, there are detours available. It is unknown as this time how long the road will be closed. If you can avoid this area, please do so.

This is a Hazmat spill of roughly 30 gallons of hazardous chemicals. It is estimated to be about a 20 foot by 30 foot spill on the ground along Hwy 395. Crews are on scene and an out-of-area Hazmat company is enroute to help with the clean-up effort.

There have been no injuries in this incident but the driver and two others were exposed to the hazardous chemicals. They have been transported to a local hospital, evaluated and released.

The residents of Bridgeport that live around the spill site have been evacuated and a shelter has been opened at the Bridgeport Elementary School.

More information and updates will be posted as they come available. Thank you! – Jennifer M. Hansen, Public Information Officer

Jennifer M. Hansen, MPS

Public Information Officer
Mono County Sheriff’s Office

 

chp_logo2.jpgmcso


Subject:
 Hazardous Materials Spill

 

On July 26, 2014, at 0723 hours a big rig carrying several unknown hazardous materials experienced a tank failure while driving southbound on Hwy 395, south of Brigdgeport. Due to several unknown chemicals spilling onto the roadway, Hwy 395 will be closed for several hours for clean up to take place. No injuries were involved.

 

R. E. WEST, Sergeant
Acting Commander
CHP – Bridgeport Area

 

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