Rt. 117 in Ledyard reopened after fuel spill

LEDYARD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Route 117 in Ledyard is back open after a fuel spill.

Police say diesel fuel from a tractor trailer truck leaked all over roadway between Sandy Hollow and Lake Street. Lanes were shut down for hours while hazmat crews worked to get it all cleaned up.

"It's a very big mess. The biggest mess we've had since I"ve been here, which is back in 1970," said Charles Willner, of Ledyard.

Sixty 50-pound bags of speedy dry were used to contain the spill which caused slippery conditions and lots of concerns.

"We're also in the water shed area for the Ledyard reservoir which supplies drinking water to Groton," said Chief John Doucette, Ledyard Fire Department. "So that was a concern of ours, so we wanted to get the leak contained as quickly as possible."

DEEP was on hand to make sure the fuel didn't contaminate the local water supply or get into storm drains. Willner had to leave his car down the street and walk to his house because the road remained closed for several hours.

"Will you hopefully get your car back soon," asked News 8's Tina Detelj.

"I hope so. I don't like leaving anything along the side of this road," Willner replied.

The spill caused a rainbow effect on part of the road, which shows the diesel fuel flowed in front of the truck. News 8 is told that the fuel line got wrapped around the drive shaft and then ripped right off.

The driver of the Stone Age Creations truck was questioned by police as other crews concentrated on clean up.

"There's plans right now to remove a significant amount of soil along the east side of the roadway," Chief Doucette said.

The road was not reopened until a street sweeper cleared away most of the mess.