UPDATE 12:30 p.m. The slow lane of Highway 101 through Shell Beach has reopened and traffic flow has returned to normal as of 11:40 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
Original story: An oil tanker overturned on southbound Highway 101 in Shell Beach early Monday morning, leading to lane closures.
The tanker overturned just south of Spyglass Drive at 2:30 a.m., according to the CHP. A 3,400 gallon tank on the truck was leaking non-flammable, hot asphalt in both lanes. Fire crews determined the substance was not considered a hazardous material.
Traffic was being diverted as both lanes were closed so crews could clean up the spill. Some traffic was going onto the center divider, but signs were to be placed as far back as Los Osos Valley Road urging drivers to use Highway 227 if possible.
As of 5:09 a.m., there was no time frame for reopening the road. The center divider would reportedly be open for commuters if needed. Shell Beach Drive would not be able to handle all the freeway traffic volume for a detour, according to the CHP.
The Spyglass Drive onramp to Highway 101 was closed at 5:30 a.m.
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