Monday, December 13, 1999
I-71 north reopens after all-day cleanup
BY SARA J. BENNETT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP — A chemical spill that closed two miles of northbound Interstate 71 for more than 12 hours Sunday proved to be more headache than hazard.
A tractor-trailer overturned just north of Interstate 275 at 8:50 a.m., spilling several thousand gallons of chemicals used to create adhesives, women's makeup and crayons.
They posed no immediate threat to the public, although one of the chemicals can be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. Hazardous materials crews spent the entire day cleaning up the molasses-thick chemicals.
That shut down part of northbound I-71 at a time when thousands of Cleveland Browns fans were traveling home after their team lost to the Bengals. Traffic backed up along alternate routes, including Ronald Reagan Highway and the Norwood Lateral.
The interstate reopened about 10 p.m.
The truck, driven by John Barallinman, 45, of Kingston, Pa., was exiting I-275 when it went out of control, Hamilton County sheriff's deputies said. It struck a pickup, flipped over a barricade and broke open.
Mr. Barallinman was cited for failing to control his vehicle. He was treated for a head injury at Bethesda North Hospital and released.
Two Hamilton County sheriff's deputies also were treated at Bethesda North for exposure to the chemicals.
A detour announcement came on the scoreboard during the second half of the football game.
Danielle Julien of Mason, however, didn't know about the tie-up until she found herself sitting in a traffic jam.
“I'm frustrated,” she said. “I'm going to be late to work.”
Enquirer reporters Ben L. Kaufman and Tom O'Neill contributed.
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