Authorities test waters as chemical train crash scale emerges.

Authorities Begin Testing Waters as Scale of Chemical Train Crash Becomes Apparent

Authorities are currently conducting water quality tests along a section of the Yellowstone River, where a train carrying hazardous materials derailed and crashed into the water following a bridge collapse. This incident occurred near the town of Columbus in Montana, and the affected area is located in the sparsely populated Yellowstone River Valley.

On Saturday morning, seven train cars carrying hot asphalt and molten sulfur plunged into the rushing river. The cleanup and restoration efforts are being carried out by Montana Rail Link, in collaboration with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

“Montana Rail Link remains committed to addressing any potential impacts to the area as a result of this incident,” said Andy Garland, a spokesperson for the train operator.

The extent of the spillage and the potential danger it poses to those who rely on the river for drinking and irrigation are still unknown. Water testing is being conducted by the EPA and state regulators to assess the situation.

However, according to Garland, both hot asphalt and molten sulfur solidify quickly when mixed with water, and modeling suggests that these substances are unlikely to travel far downstream.

Efforts to remove the derailed train cars are still underway, as the crash caused extensive damage and the best approach for their removal is being determined.

The Federal Railroad Administration is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment, but no preliminary information has been released yet.

In addition to the train derailment, the bridge collapse also disrupted internet service for many customers in the state. The high-speed provider Global Net reported that it was still providing service on a backup route, but some users were experiencing slow connections or no service at all.

The Yellowstone River experienced record flooding in 2022, resulting in significant damage to Yellowstone National Park and nearby towns in Montana. However, the collapsed bridge is located downstream from the park.

Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor, suggested that the repeated years of heavy river flows may have contributed to the bridge collapse. The high water flow exerts strong forces on the pier and river bottom, potentially causing erosion or scour that weakens the foundation and triggers a structural failure.

The Twin Bridges, consisting of the railroad bridge and an old highway bridge, were previously parallel to each other. However, the highway bridge was removed in 2021 due to the imminent risk of collapse. The railroad bridge undergoes biannual inspections, with the most recent inspection conducted in May.

The Federal Railroad Administration will review the inspection reports to ensure compliance with safety standards.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

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