Maine Turnpike open again after big tie-up

LITCHFIELD – A 23-mile stretch of the Maine Turnpike was shut down for 9 1/2 hours early Wednesday after a tanker truck overturned, spilling 3,000 gallons of heating oil.

The Webber Energy truck carrying heating oil from South Portland to Augusta overturned in the median at 11 p.m. Tuesday, troopers said. Northbound and southbound lanes between Exit 80 in Lewiston and Exit 103 in West Gardiner were closed.

Traffic didn’t begin moving in both directions until about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Bruce Pelletier of the Maine Turnpike Authority.

Truck driver John Fortin, 51, of Fairfield, who was injured in the crash, will be interviewed by troopers in an effort to determine what caused the crash, said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Although the road was wet, weather and road conditions were not factors in the crash, McCausland said.

Fortin’s logbook was up to date and there were no apparent mechanical problems with the truck, troopers said.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and private contractor Clean Harbors were involved in the cleanup, officials said.