On 5/11/06, a tractor trailer containing 8900 gallons of gasoline overturned on the Florida Turnpike at the Hammondville Road interchange. Over 3,000 gallons of gasoline were released into the environment. Local Fire Department responders were successful in stopping the continued release of gasoline. The Florida Turnpike Corporation has hired a contractor to remove the remaining product in the tanker and address environmental impacts. Florida DEP Bureau of Emergency Response personnel are on scene. OSC David Dorian was dispatched to the scene to provide assistance and oversite as needed.
The tanker truck overturned on the grassy embankment. The Fire Department covered the impacted area with foam. Surface water was not impacted; however, the water table is approximately 4 feet below surface at the point of the spill. Therefore, groundwater impacts are anticipated.
Two compartments of the tanker truck breached. One completely lost its contents. The Turnpike's contractor, Handex (subcontract to SWS), tapped the tanks and recovered approximately 5,700 gallons. Approximately 3,200 gallons of gasoline were released. The Florida Turnpike Corporation has the lead for emergency response and remedial actions. They will work directly with the Responsible Party on recovering costs.
The following morning, Handex submitted a plan for soil excavation and groundwater testing. There are pressurized natural gas lines running along side the Turnpike, so Florida gas marked the lines prior to excavation. There is one 18 inch main at six feet below surface and a twenty-four inch main at 11 feet below surface.
The impacted area is approximately 40 yards by 15 yards. Hendex is monitoring the vapors for benzene using Draeger tubes. Early in the day (05/12/2006), the benzene levels measured 50 ppm; however, by the end of the day the levels were less than 5.0 ppm. The Florida Turnpike Corporation's contractor had mobilized the equipment for the soil excavation by the end of the day.
FDEP BER returned the following day to the site to oversee the excavation and disposal of the soil.
The response contractor will complete all excavation and address groundwater issues. All soil that exceeds the state standard for petroleum contaminated soil will be disposed. FDEP Bureau of Petroleum Systems will oversee the remedial actions.
FDEP has the lead for oversite.
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