FREDERICK, Md. — A day after a tanker truck crashed into a tree and exploded along Route 15 in Frederick, Md. neighbors are questioning why there are no barriers between their residential street and the busy highway.
"This does concern me, and it's always concerned me and now it's less of a barrier than it was before," said Bradd Hammond who pointed out the large stump that was left following Saturday's crash.
The crash was reported around 12:00 p.m. on US-15 at Rosemont Avenue near Apple Avenue according to Frederick County Fire Officials. Maryland State Police have yet to release what caused the driver to crash into the tree.
Authorities did not disclose what the truck was carrying but said it was a "commonly carried flammable liquid" like gasoline or diesel.
Hammond says he felt the heat from the flames in his dining room inside his home that faces the crash scene. The damage to his brick home was minimal because of the materials used to build the house that has been in his family for decades. His front lawn was scorched by the flames, there was damage to the paint and a broken window. His roommates lost three cars that were scorched by the flames. His neighbor's home was deemed inhabitable.
Hammond says he has been living in the home since 2009. He can remember at least four crashes involving tractor-trailers on the stretch right in front of his house, and at least once a year he says a car crashes in the same area.
The only barrier stopping the vehicles from driving into Apple Avenue are trees along US-15.
"The shrubbery is ridiculous. It's useless pretty much. We should have a guard rail, we should have a wall preferably. There is a guard rail all the other way on the other side and one in the medium, to protect I don't know what, but there is not one here at all," said Hammond.
Frederick's Mayor, Michael O'Connor addressed those concerns during a Saturday news conference. He says the improvements along US-15 are a high priority but could take at least five years. O'Connor says changes that include adding lanes and barriers are part of the Consolidated Transportation Program of 2028.
"Part of that conversation is the presence of sound barriers. The residents along that area would certainly like to see that, and it's certainly something that we will continue to advocate for," said O'Connor.
But neighbors along the crash scene like Bradd Hammond say these changes should be expedited considering the recent tragedy. "I think it should be done in the next six months personally," said Hammond.
The Maryland Department of the Environment says they will continue their cleaning efforts in the area which includes the removal of contaminated soil. Residents say they have not been informed when Apple Avenue will be reopened for through traffic.