Tanker fuel spill shuts down Independence Blvd in Charlotte, NC

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The inbound lanes of Independence Boulevard are back open after being shut down for hours Friday morning due to a crash involving a tanker truck that spilled fuel on the highway, officials said.

The Charlotte Fire Department responded to a crash on the inbound side of Independence near Pecan Avenue between Charlottetowne Avenue and Hawthorne Lane early Friday. Two lanes of Independence were open by 7:35 a.m. with traffic moving smoothly toward Uptown and Interstate 277.

At 7 a.m., the traffic on Independence Boulevard was backed up over 1 mile to Sharon Amity Road with drivers seeking alternate routes into Uptown Charlotte.

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Avoid Independence IB if you can. Traffic still being diverted off the highway at Briar Creek Rd. Estimation to back open is not until the 8 o'clock hour! @wcnc pic.twitter.com/nUmZfzXQxW

All inbound traffic was detoured off the highway at Briar Creek Road. Drivers can then use Central Avenue or Monroe Road to get into Uptown.

Drivers can also take Randolph and Providence roads as alternates. There will be heavier traffic, but it's better than waiting out the cleanup on Independence.

Medic said no one was injured in the crash. CMPD is leading the investigation.

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