National Guard spokesman Robert Carver said the truck wascarrying night-vision goggles for an early delivery to the armory on Reedy Creek Roadwhen it overturned at 6:15 a.m.
The truck was also carrying white phosphorus mortar rounds, but Carver said they were not intended for the armory. The shells were on the way to the Army's oceanterminal on the Cape Fear River near Wilmington.
The mortar rounds create smoke and are used to light military targets when fired.
Crews at the scene said there was no danger because the rounds and fuses are packed separately for delivery. Explosives experts from Fort Bragg were called to assess the stability of the shipment. Shortly after 2 p.m., officials were able to remove the tractor-trailer.
Carver said precautionary measures taken by the Raleigh Police Department were warranted.
Police said the civilian driver was backing out of a driveway when the back of the trailer slipped into a ditch and the rig slid and fell over.
The container of smoke marking mortar shells headed to is intended location Thursday.
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