(July 23, 2008)—Traffic was moving again late Wednesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 190 at Nola Ruth Street in Bell County after the eastbound lanes were closed for about four hours while HAZMAT teams worked to identify and neutralize what authorities now say was a chemical byproduct from a methamphetamine lab.
Texas Department of Transportation workers who were replacing a guardrail discovered the gas canister just before noon under the Nola Ruth bridge and became suspicious because of the odor.
Officers diverted traffic off eastbound Highway 190 onto the access road while the Killeen Fire Department’s HAZMAT team attempted to identify the substance.
Temple Fire and Rescue later dispatched its HAZMAT team, which has more sophisticated testing equipment, to the scene.
The Temple firefighters were able to identify and neutralize the contents of the gas can, which a police officer then took away.
Authorities think someone may have set up a temporary clandestine lab under the bridge to manufacture methamphetamine.
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