K-7 reopens after being closed because of overturned semi carrying fuel

Tow trucks were removing an overturned semi around 11:30 a.m. on K-7 in the Bonner Springs area. K-7 reopened around 4:30 p.m. (KDOT photo)

K-7 was closed in the Bonner Springs area because of an overturned semi carrying fuel, according to KDOT. (KDOT photo)

Part of K-7 was closed in Bonner Springs because of an overturned semi. (KC Scout photo)


4:25 p.m. update:

All lanes of northbound K-7 from K-32 to 130th Street are now open to all traffic in Bonner Springs, according to a KDOT spokeswoman.

The overturned semi was removed from the highway, and normal traffic has resumed on northbound and southbound K-7, the spokeswoman stated.

A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper’s report stated that the semi was eastbound on Speaker Road about 8:29 a.m. Monday when it tried to turn left on northbound K-7 and rolled as the left turn was completed. The semi was pulling a trailer. The driver, a 49-year-old man from Lathrop, Mo., was injured and taken to a hospital, the report stated.

3:45 p.m. update:
Southbound K-7 from 130th Street to K-32 and eastbound and westbound I-70 raps to southbound K-7 is now open, according to a KDOT spokesman.

However, northbound K-7 from K-32 to 130th Street is still closed, as crews must remove the overturned semi from K-7 and Speaker Road in Bonner Springs.

The fuel is off-loaded and the semi removal is now underway, KDOT stated. Northbound K-7 may reopen in an hour and a half to two hours, according to KDOT.


1 p.m. update:

A KDOT spokeswoman said K-7 could remain closed through mid-evening today.

A pumper truck was dispatched to the accident to off-load all fuel before the two tow trucks on the scene remove the overturned tanker at K-7 and Speaker Road in the Bonner Springs area, the spokesman stated.

There will be four compartments to off-load, and it will take some hours to complete the task, move the semi to an upright position and then remove it from the scene, the spokesman stated.

Northbound and southbound K-7 from 130th Street to K-32, all lanes, and all K-7 ramps to and from I-70 are still closed. Motorists may take I-435 as an alternate route.

11 a.m. update:

A Kansas Department of Transportation spokeswoman stated that all K-7 lanes in the area of the accident are fully closed.

Northbound K-7 traffic was detoured via K-32 east to I-435 and southbound K-7 was detoured via 130th Street to State Avenue to I-435, according to KDOT. The estimated reopening time was three to four hours.

The semi tanker was carrying 8,500 gallons of highly flammable gasoline and diesel fuels, and there are no leaks, according to the spokesman. The driver of the semi is OK, the spokesman added. According to the Kansas City, Kan., Fire Department, one patient was taken to the hospital by Bonner Springs EMS.

Original story:

Part of K-7 Highway has been closed, from 130th to Kansas Avenue, because of an overturned semi tanker full of fuel, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation spokesman.

The intersection and roadway has been fully shut down on Monday morning because of a potential hazardous situation, the spokesman said.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area. The accident happened around 8:30 a.m.

The spokesman said motorists should expect delays and use alternate routes such as I-435.