On July 8, 2009, a tanker truck and trailer filled with asphalt oil (asphalt cement) crashed in the eastbound lane of Highway I-84 on a bridge over McCord Creek, in Multnomah County, Oregon. The truck discharged approximately 3,000 gallons of asphalt oil onto the road surface and into McCord Creek and on its banks. Multiple local and state agencies responded to the incident, which resulted in a closure of the eastbound lanes of Interstate-84. McCord Creek flows directly into the Columbia River within approximately 1/2 mile of the spill site. No sheen or asphalt was observed at the mouth of the creek at its junction with the Columbia River.
There were no observable impacts to fish and wildlife (in consultation with trustees), and none expected given consideration of the characteristics and toxicity of the spilled material. Although it was previously reported that the creek had several threatened and endangered species (T&E), no surveys were conducted for specific species, nor were any T&E species identified by trustee agencies. McCord Creek was, however, identified by state and federal trustees as a waterway that could be used, and is most probably utilized by T&E species during specific periods of time throughout the year. Also, an archeologist hired by the RP for cultural and historic site concerns mobilized to the site and assisted as requested by the SHPO and unified command. Please see previous POLREPS 1 and 2 for additional site history and operations.
From 7/14 through 7/17 NRCS, the clean-up contractor for the Reponsible Party (RP), continued the removal of asphalt oil from vegetation, rocks in McCord Creek, and the bridge pier. The removal of contaminated vegetation was completed by the end of the day on Wednesday 7/15/09. For the larger rocks and boulders in the creek which had oil caked on them, test removal methods were conducted using both heat and cold. No heat was applied to sediments, water, or vegetation in the creek area: heat was only applied via small propane torches to rocks and boulders too large to remove from the creek. This method was found to have the most success and least environmental impact. On Thursday 7/16/09, propane torches were used to remove asphalt oil from the large rocks and boulders too large to remove from McCord Creek. Clean-up of the bridge pier was completed on Thursday 7/16/09. On Friday 7/17/09, NRCS began conducting the detailed, hand removal of asphalt oil from the exposed surface soil and from the spaces between rocks. Work at the site ceased for the weekend, 7/18 through 7/19.
From 7/20 through 7/24 NRCS continued the detailed removal of asphalt oil from the soil and rocks at the site. They also conducted the removal of asphalt oil from the bridge deck, bridge barrier, and bridge drains (scuppers). On Monday 7/20/09, boulders were brought to the site and placed along the west side of McCord Creek to stabilize the bank where contaminated boulders had been removed. At the conclusion of Wednesday 7/22/09, the removal of asphalt oil from beneath the bridge was completed and was approved by ODEQ. Clean up of the bridge drains were also completed and removal of oil from the bridge barrier was 60% completed. On Thursday 7/23/09, hydro-seeding was completed on areas where contaminated vegetation had been removed. Work at the site was completed on Friday 7/24/09.
None.
Clean up of the site is now complete and no further actions are anticipated.
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