Big Sky Times

EPA Information Officer Beth Archer issued a recent press release addressing a train derailment near Reed Point, Montana, which resulted in six rail cars carrying molten asphalt falling into the Yellowstone River. Cleanup operations are now underway to address the environmental impact of the incident.

"Every day, as we're working on it, the crews are gaining more expertise in handling this situation, enabling them to remove more material swiftly and efficiently." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information Officer Beth Archer said.

According to a press release issued on July 4, a westbound Montana Rail Link train encountered a devastating derailment incident while crossing a bridge over the Yellowstone River on June 24. The train crew escaped unharmed; fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

The aftermath of the accident has since been marked by a determined cleanup effort to address the 10-car derailment and the subsequent contamination of the Yellowstone River with molten asphalt. Out of the ten Montana Rail Link rail cars carrying the hazardous material, six plunged into the river, causing significant asphalt leakage. The cleanup progress, meticulously tracked through a dedicated dashboard, reveals that an impressive 80,000 pounds of asphalt has already been removed from the scene. However, according to the Montana Free Press, officials estimate that the total amount dumped into the river could have been as high as 500,000 pounds.

In a significant development, Unified Command from the Montana Rail Link has confirmed that all the derailed cars have been successfully extracted from the eastern span of the bridge as of late Monday evening, July 4, 2023. The removal of the cars from both the bridge and its vicinity was accomplished without further incidents. Furthermore, essential construction work has taken place, including the reinforcement of the causeway and the establishment of a crane pad. Another crane is scheduled to arrive at the site to aid in the removal of the west bridge span and assist with additional construction tasks. The initial stages of bridge reconstruction have commenced today, signifying progress in restoring the disrupted infrastructure.

According to a press release from Montana Rail Link, with the removal of all the derailed cars, the source of the asphalt contamination has been effectively eliminated, significantly reducing the risk of further product release into the Yellowstone River.

Beth Archer, a public information officer from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, highlighted the increasing efficiency of the cleanup crews. In an interview with KTVQ News, Archer stated, "Every day, as we're working on it, the crews are gaining more expertise in handling this situation, enabling them to remove more material swiftly and efficiently."

The incident has also prompted discussions on rail safety and disaster preparedness. Authorities and rail operators are likely to reevaluate protocols to prevent similar accidents and enhance emergency response procedures in the future. The situation is an evolving one, and the cleanup process is expected to continue for several more days.