The N1 highway southbound near John Vorster Avenue in Centurion was re-opened to traffic yesterday after a toxic spill, Tshwane metro police said.

The N1 highway southbound near John Vorster Avenue in Centurion was re-opened to traffic yesterday after a toxic spill, Tshwane metro police said.

Spokesman Louise Britz said the highway and offramps were opened to traffic.

Britz said drivers had listened to radio reports advising the use of alternative routes and so there was no traffic.

The road was closed when about 10000 litres of sulphuric acid spilled onto the road when a truck transporting it overturned on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services spokesman Johan Pieterse said the driver of the truck had lost control of the vehicle.

He said many people had reported damage to the paintwork of their cars and to their tyres after driving over the acid.

Pieterse said a special clean-up team were contracted to contain the spillage and had taken it to a safe place for disposal. - Sapa