Photos by S. J. Carter | Special to The Botetourt View

According to VDOT, a tractor-trailer hit the left side of a bridge over Purgatory Creek resulting in a 70 gallon diesel and oil spill that closed the right northbound lane.

Diesel and oil can be seen covering the highway and a tree following an accident involving a tractor-trailer.

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A tractor-trailer that hit a bridge on Interstate 81 caused major delays in Botetourt County for much of the afternoon, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The accident occurred around noon on I-81 southbound at mile marker 167 near Buchanan. Traffic was backed up about 9 miles as of around 3:30 p.m., according to VDOT.  VDOT spokeswoman Heidi Coy said all lanes were clear by 5:15 p.m.

Coy said that a tractor-trailer hit the left side of a bridge over Purgatory Creek, resulting in a 70 gallon diesel and oil spill that closed the right northbound lane. The lane was closed while crews cleaned up the spill. A bridge inspection crew was also at the scene to survey the damage.