Applegate Roadway in Atwater reopened after tanker explosion

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- More than a month after a tragic accident sent a tanker truck up in flames and impacted several businesses in Atwater, the city officially reopened the Applegate Roadway freeway access Saturday.

The ramp was closed back on May 23 after a big rig driver was killed when he rolled his trailer. The fire burned about 100 yards worth of road near Highway 99 after more than 8,000 gallons of fuel burned off.

The asphalt was severely charred and needed major repairs. While the road was closed, the city says businesses along the roadway lost nearly 50 percent of their revenue during that time.

"There was an easement to keep them open even though it wasn't the volume that they normally would experience, but things have come together," Atwater Mayor Jim Price said. "And we did the very best we could so that these people wouldn't suffer as much of a loss as they thought."

They city says construction will continue to repair signage or trees that were damaged in the fire, but they want to make it clear that road is back open for commuters.