BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. - Barricades and cones line the I-10 West Welcome Center on the
Alabama-Florida state line. The Alabama Department of
Transportation closed the facility after welcome center employees
smelled a substance with an "acidic odor" inside the men's restroom
soap dispenser.
"Well, I think we've got a sick person on our hands," said
Tourist, Bob Lyons. Tourists and residents stopping on the East
bound side of I-10 were shocked to hear what happened just down the
road.
Trucker, Lee Godfrey says it could be anyone. "You don't know if
it's a truck driver or some crazy person," Godfrey said. "I mean,
why do people snatch kids? People are sick."
But it turns out Alabama isn't the only state that's discovered
this issue. Florida Department Of Transportation says it found an
unknown substance at a comfort station on southbound I-75 in Marion
County, Florida.
A similar substance was also found at the rest area in Chilton
County, Alabama Monday morning.
Both of those locations are now closed.
Still, travelers say they're keeping an open mind when it comes
to rest areas. "Sure, I'll go to the rest stop, but I'll be a
little more cautious about how I clean my hands," Lyons said.
The substances found are still unknown. Both the Alabama and
Florida Emergency Management Departments are testing them right
now. So far, no injuries have been reported.