Collision Closes Beltway Outer Loop At Bradley Boulevard
UPDATE 8:00 a.m. All lanes have reopened.
UPDATE 7:45 a.m. A tractor trailer collision that requires response from county Hazmat units has closed the outerloop of the Beltway between Bradley Boulevard and River Road this morning.
The closure is causing back ups on the Beltway back to Wheaton and on southbound I-270 up to Rockville. Police are diverting I-270 traffic onto Old Georgetown Road.
MCFRS Assistant Chief Scott Graham, a spokesman, said the incident occurred shortly before 7 a.m. this morning.
All lanes of the outer loop are closed, which has already caused significant delays.
Photo via TrafficLand.com
Shoppes of Bethesda Evacuated Because Of Strong Chemical Odor
Update at 1:40 p.m. – MCFRS has given the all-clear and officials are allowing people back into their businesses.
Original story: MCFRS and MCPD officials have evacuated the Shoppes of Bethesda strip mall on Hampden Lane after workers in the Montgomery County liquor store (4920 Hampden Lane) reported a strong chemical odor.
MCFRS officials believe the odor was brought into the liquor store through the HVAC system. Workers were on the roof with chemical products.
One person on the scene was feeling ill from the odor but did not want to go to the hospital.
Hampden Lane between Woodmont Avenue and Arlington Road is closed. MCFRS officials are running tests inside the liquor store.
Hazmat Team on Scene of River Road Gas Station Leak
A gas refueling truck ruptured an underground gas tank at the Shell station at River Road and Butler Road shortly after 11 a.m. today, according to a Montgomery County Police officer on the scene.
A Montgomery County Hazmat team was called to the station and emergency personnel were pouring an absorbant on the gas that had leaked onto Butler Road.
The officer described the leak as “minimal.” Butler Road was taped off and a portion of the right lane of River Road was closed just north of the intersection with Little Falls Parkway.
The refueling truck, which was still on the scene, reportedly backed up and punctured the underground tank, causing the leak.
