Highway 50 traffic slowed as truck spills fuel

Traffic on U.S. Highway 50 was slowed for a time Tuesday afternoon east of Walton near mile post 282 following a fuel spill.

A drive shaft broke and punctured the fuel tank on a moving van, said Lon Buller, Harvey County’s emergency management director.

The semi truck was able to pull over on the eastbound shoulder of the highway, but diesel fuel did spill onto the ground.

“We’re not sure exactly how much diesel leaked out,” Buller said, “but the company hired a clean-up contract to deal with the contaminated soil.”

Buller said the spill was not a threat to the public, but disposal of the affected soil is required.

“Usually, a contractor will remove the soil plus some unaffected soil underneath the affected area and haul it to an approved disposal sight,” he said.