I-40 fire repairs to close lanes

GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) - The crash and fire involving a big-rig tanker hauling gasoline on Interstate 40 last week will result in lane closures next week to repair damaged asphalt, the New Mexico Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.

About 8,800 gallons of gasoline burned when the tanker rolled over in the median Saturday morning just east of the Acomita exit about 50 miles west of Albuquerque.

The driver was treated for minor injuries, and part or all of I-40 was shut down for much of the day.

New Mexico State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash.  No citations have been issued.

NMDOT is describing the damage as minor and says it plans to mill 3 inches from the pavement and fill with hot-mix asphalt.  If the damage is found to exceed 3 inches in depth, all the asphalt will be removed, according to the NMDOT announcement.

Work equipment is to be mobilized and staged on Tuesday, and the repair work is currently scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.

During the work I-40 will be reduced to one lane and the speed limit dropped to 55 mph in the between mile markers 102 and 103.

The area currently is posted with signs warning of rough pavement on reducing the speed limit to 65 mph.

Updates on the work will be posted on the NMDOT website NMRoads.com .