Interstate 80/94 in Indiana backed up after honey spilled across road

CHICAGO _ Indiana state troopers were urging motorists on the Borman Expressway to avoid what they called a "sticky situation" in Lake County after a semi hauling honey overturned Wednesday morning, spreading a mixture of honey and diesel fuel across the road.

The three left lanes of Interstate 80/94 eastbound at Calumet Avenue were closed after the driver of a semi carrying 41,000 pounds of amber honey lost control and the rig rolled over, according to a news release from the Indiana State Police. Just before 11 a.m. the agency said it had reopened an eastbound lane, leaving two lanes closed.

The driver of the semi was not injured, officials said.

"It appears the semi was coming onto eastbound I-80/94 from Calumet Avenue when his front axle broke which caused the driver to lose control and roll over," state police wrote in an email.

The driver also told investigators he had just fueled up the tractor-trailer, and on top of five containers of honey spilling from the box trailer, the vehicle began leaking diesel fuel, police said.

Eight more containers of honey were still inside the truck and at least half of those were reported to be leaking, officials said.

Traffic was backing up in both directions, state police said, adding: "We are already experiencing back-ups and delays. Please seek alternate routes."

Authorities were expecting an extended cleanup effort. The Indiana Department of Transportation had been assisting with the effort and it would need to inspect the road before all lanes of traffic would be reopened, officials said.