A crash on I-88 early Tuesday morning in Duanesburg closed the highway in both directions for several hours and prompted an evacuation in the area of the crash.

A commercial tractor-trailer carrying multiple cylinders of compressed natural gas exited the roadway traveling east and went down a steep ravine around 2:50 a.m., causing serious injuries to its driver, who is in critical condition at Albany Medical Center, State Police said.

The New York State Police say both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane on I-88 between exits 24 and 25 reopened on Tuesday evening. Both directions will close again at 6 a.m. Wednesday between the exits for additional cleanup. Morning commuters are asked to seek alternate routes. 

Police did not identify the driver. Its investigation into the cause of the crash continues. 

Members of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Schenectady County Emergency Management Office and local fire departments dispatched Hazardous Materials Response Teams, forming a safety perimeter.

No homes or businesses were evacuated.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, in a statement, said the crash could lead to a natural gas leak, "so an evacuation of the area is currently underway out of an abundance of caution."