Loot Tips, Zinc Slips: Clean-Up Shuts Down I-24

NASHVILLE, TN -- A tractor-trailer carrying zinc pellets overturned on Interstate 24 southeast of downtown Wednesday afternoon, snarling eastbound traffic for hours.

Shortly before 3 p.m., a semi hauling 42,000 pounds of zinc overturned near the Briley Parkway exit, sending its 21-ton load spilling across the road.

Had the payload been standard-issue cargo, clean-up would have been completed by 4 p.m. with a minimal effect on afternoon rush hour, but zinc requires special procedures.

The majority of the clean-up was completed by 10 p.m., but the far right lane of I-24 eastbound did not re-open until nearly 4 a.m.

Image via Tennessee Department of Transportation