Cleanup at site of train derailment going to last through June

UPDATE: Adds statement of about cleanup timeframe – 6:30 p.m., May 19.

UPDATE: Story updates throughout with statements from Union Pacific Railroad. Story edited for continuity – 4:30 p.m., May 19.

By Michael V. Hannigan

A Union Pacific Railroad spokesperson said today that the cleanup of the March 29 train derailment in Malakoff is expected to continue through June.

“The spilled diesel that remained above the ground was removed very shortly after the incident. We are now working to remove any amounts that were absorbed into the soil around the site,” said Union Pacific Railroad Director of Corporate Relations and Media Jeff DeGraff.

“At this time, there is no threat or concern for residences in the area. We appreciate the continued patience that has been shown by the community of Malakoff as we clean up and restore this area following the incident,” he said.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) echoed DeGraff’s projections.

“Based on information obtained from the on-site investigations and data provided by Union Pacific’s contractor, additional cleanup and remediation of the site will be needed,” said TCEQ Media Relations Manager Andrea Morrow.

“Union Pacific’s contractors are continuing to evaluate the extent of the subsurface contamination from the diesel spill. A large area of contaminated soils has been excavated on both sides of the railroad tracks and diesel contaminated soil remains in the ballast of the railroad tracks,” Morrow said.

DeGraff said the extent of the cleanup wasn’t known until after the railroad cars were removed.

“It was anticipated that it would just take a matter of days to get the damaged railcars secured and cleared. Until we got the cars clear we couldn’t get a firm assessment of the amount of remediation that would be necessary to clean the diesel,” he said. “We also want to be as thorough as possible, so our timelines have been somewhat fluid. ”

In March, DeGraff said 38 cars derailed including “a couple of tank cars of diesel” that ruptured. He said at that time that the spill was contained and that there was “no threat to any waterways or any public impact.”

Meanwhile, more than eight weeks later the smell of diesel fuel still lingers in the area.

“What bothers me is the constant diesel smell and that it’s just a bit too close to where I’ve lived for 15 years,” said Malakoff resident Brian Paris, who lives across the highway from where the derailment occurred. “On hot days it can get very strong,. I’m at work during the week, but if we have a warm evening or a hot weekend day there is still a smell that started the night of the wreck.”