Tanker truck overturns, spills fuel onto I-285

ATLANTA — Crews are working to clean up after an overturned tanker truck closed all lanes of Interstate 285 in both directions on Tuesday.

The truck was carrying more than 7,500 gallons of fuel, most of which spilled onto the road.

While diesel isn't as dangerous as gas, there was still the potential for ignition as the cleanup progressed.

The truck overturned just before 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Two large wreckers with crane arms were able to tip the tanker back onto its wheels.

Crews reopened the eastbound lanes of I-285 just before 7:30 a.m. and the westbound lanes just before 9 a.m.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at the scene talking to police.

The Georgia State Patrol and the Atlanta Police Department are still working  to determine what led to the crash, but the bigger concern is over safety and the environment.

An estimated 4,000 gallons of fuel was on the ground, being soaked up by several bags of absorbent material along with the dirt.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division the Environmental Protection Agency responded to try and limit any lasting effects in the area.

The main concern is that the diesel may get into the groundwater, which is why crews took all day to clean the area, digging up and hauling off all of the contaminated soil.

Cox Media Group