Snowmobilers Asked To Avoid Sturgeon River Bridge Area

Progress continues on cleanup work at the site of last Saturday’s accident and fuel release at the Sturgeon River Bridge on US 41 south of Chassell.

Again today there will be dump trucks coming in and out of the area, removing impacted soil and bringing in clean fill material.

In addition to the traffic control lights, personnel will be assisting in the safe movement of trucks and workers.

An area of impacted ice has been removed adjacent to the bridge. No snowmobiling is allowed in the immediate vicinity of the bridge due to the presence of open water and cleanup equipment.

Environmental assessment has been conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and environmental consultants at 42 locations along the Sturgeon River between the spill site and the mouth.

These assessment points extend downstream from the bridge to the mouths of both branches of the river into Pike Bay and Portage Lake. There have not been any detections of fuel at any of the downriver assessment locations.

Air quality monitoring and sampling has continued under EPA direction for the immediate area and adjacent homes.

Air quality monitoring also is being done near stockpiled materials and the excavation and loading areas to verify that there are no health and safety concerns for the community and workers.

Drivers are reminded to use extra caution if they need to drive along US-41 near the Sturgeon River. Western U.P. Health Department has also has notified Chassell Township School about the increased truck traffic and activity.

For situation updates, visit the health department web site at www.wupdhd.org