BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas – A major traffic slowdown is hitting commuters in Brazoria County after an overturned 18-wheeler spilled molten sulfur along State Highway 35 near Bar X Trail.
The crash happened early Monday morning just west of Angleton. TxDOT says the northbound lanes of SH-35 will remain closed for at least 24 hours as crews work through a complicated and hazardous cleanup.
The 18-wheeler flipped onto its side around 1 a.m. Monday. The driver walked away, officials said and no other vehicles were involved, according to officials.
What’s inside the truck is what turned this into an all-day—and possibly multi-day—operation. The tanker was hauling molten sulfur, which remains liquid only at high temperatures. Crews have had to wait for the load to cool before they can begin safely removing it.
Hazmat teams say the material can burn skin and eyes on contact, and its vapors can irritate airways. Once cooled, the product becomes a flammable solid, making the cleanup even more delicate.
To keep traffic moving, TxDOT has shifted all southbound vehicles to the westbound side, creating a two-way traffic flow. What is normally a four-lane stretch is now functioning as just two lanes, and drivers are already feeling the delays during the morning rush.
Officials say nearby homes are not at risk and no evacuations have been ordered.
The northbound lanes will stay closed until it is safe for crews to complete the cleanup.