Sticky goo on Pa. turnpike disables over 100 cars

[November 23, 2011]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A leaking tanker truck dropped a sticky substance over a nearly 40-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, disabling more than 100 cars that had their tires covered in the gooey muck.

Turnpike spokesman Bill Capone says a leaking valve on a tanker carrying driveway sealant spread the gunk over the eastbound lanes of the Turnpike between New Castle and the Oakmont Service Plaza on Tuesday night.

Capone says workers initially tried plowing the mess off the roadway but switched to covering it with sand to help it dry.

Traffic was moving normally Wednesday morning but turnpike officials say some state police and maintenance vehicles had to be towed after getting stuck.

Capone says the turnpike has set up a phone number to help motorists filing insurance claims over damage from the goo.

[Associated Press]

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