ST. CLAIRSVILLE – Interstate 70 east is open again after a vehicle crash and spill blocked traffic for about two hours earlier Friday.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Maurice Waddell said the accident occurred as a dump truck was trying to merge onto I-70 east from Ohio 9 in St. Clairsville. The dump truck came to a stop as it attempted to enter the highway and was struck from behind by a pickup truck. Waddell said the pickup truck spilled about 200 gallons of weed killer onto the roadway when the collision occurred.

According to Waddell, the Cumberland Trail FIre District, Belmont COunty Emergency Management Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation responded along with the patrol. He said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was contacted as well.

Cleanup of the weed killer was the main reason for the long delay that rerouted traffic through the city on U.S. 40, Waddell said. He noted sand was used to soak up the potentially hazardous material and was then swept off the roadway. He said the EPA is expected to visit the site and assess the residue later today.

Waddell said any injuries sustained in the crash appeared to be minor. The interstate reopened around 11:30 a.m.