Two-Mile-Long Diesel Spill Slows Binghamton Traffic

A tractor-trailer stopped on Main Street after leaving a trail of diesel fuel. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

A ruptured tank on a tractor-trailer resulted in a diesel fuel spill from downtown Binghamton to the city's West Side.

Diesel fuel from this truck caused slippery conditions along Court and Main streets. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

The nearly two-mile-long trail of diesel started at the Route 363 exit ramp to Court Street. The truck continued west with fuel spilling on Court Street and Main Street.

Each of the truck's two tanks could hold up to 125 gallons of diesel fuel. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

The driver noticed the problem when he saw a sheen on the pavement behind the big rig on Main Street as it approached Glenwood Avenue. Police were advised of the spill just before 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The truck was operated by System Freight of Jamesburg, New Jersey. The driver said he started the morning in Amsterdam in Montgomery County. He said the load of cardboard to be used for boxes was bound for a Binghamton business.

The driver said he didn't know what may have caused the problem with the fuel tank, although he did say he heard a loud noise as the truck exited Route 363.

About five gallons of diesel remained in the one of the truck's two saddle tanks. The tank had a capacity of 125 gallons.

Binghamton public works crews spread an absorbent material along Court and Main streets where the spill occurred. Workers with the state Department of Transportation also put down some sand and absorbent material where needed.

City police issued an advisory urging drivers to use caution due to the spill. There were no reports of serious problems caused by the diesel leak. No tickets were issued to the truck driver.

A veteran city fire department official could not recall any diesel leak that covered such a long distance.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation was notified of the incident.

Absorbent material was spread over the diesel spill at the downtown Binghamton roundabout. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

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