(Photo Courtesy: Airdrie RCMP)

UPDATED 5:30am Wednesday, Jan 21/15

All but one southbound lane was closed again last night as crews continued to work on cleaning up the spill. All lanes south and northbound were finally open as of about 2:30am today.

 

Updated 3:30pm

All northbound lanes open and 2 southbound lanes ready for motorists on the QEII.

 

Updated at 2:15pm

Two northbound lanes and one southbound lane of the QEII have been opened. Crews are working as quickly as possible to safely clean up the spill.

Updated at 12:10 pm:

The QEII remains mostly closed after a tanker truck rolled over just after 4:00 AM today by Blue Grass Garden Centre.

Police say a single lane in each direction will be opened at 12:30, but to expect delays all afternoon.

And besides the traffic woes in the morning commute and as the highway remains closed this afternoon, a greater concern is beginning to emerge.

Authorities estimate 2,000 litres of gasoline has spilled into the median where the truck came to rest and another 13,000 litres has drained into a nearby wetland.

Constable Jason Curtis with the Airdrie RCMP says the cleanup operation is no easy task,

"They are actually attempting to drill the underside of tank and syphon the fuel out."

As a precaution a 1,000 foot safety parameter has been erected, as a result both lanes are closed.

Hazardous materials response teams are on scene as well as Alberta Environment and the Alberta Emergency Management Agecy,

The driver of the tanker escaped without injury, drugs and alcohol are not being considered factors in the collision.