US-41 remaining closed through Friday

Due to the tanker spill, US-41 is still closed through much of Hancock. For area residents, the detour is White Street. That has been converted into two-way traffic. The cones that have been used to create a makeshift median are beginning to show some wear and tear, though.

Vehicles crossing the lift bridge and heading north are being routed onto M-203. For those coming south from Calumet, the road is closed at the airport and traffic is being sent to M-26. In the last update provided by the Hancock Fire Department, sent out at roughly 9:30 PM Thursday, they are warning that the detours could be in place until Saturday.

Evacuated residents are allowed back into their homes, but air monitoring is still in place. Heavy equipment will continue to operate in the area to clear the road of the earthen barriers used to contain the leaking fuel.

It is estimated that the fuel tanker was loaded with 8,500 gallons of gasoline when the accident happened. While much of that is accounted for, a sheen of chemicals was visible across the top of most of the Portage Canal Thursday evening. It is unknown how much escaped through the storm drains and out into the water. The Western UP Health Department has closed the canal to all boating and recreational activities. The US Coast Guard has not been utilized to help with the cleanup.