Bridge Collapse in Montana Leads to Freight Train Accident and Hazardous Material Spill in Yellowstone River

Bridge Collapse in Montana Sends Freight Train Carrying Hazardous Materials into Yellowstone River

COLUMBUS, Mont. – A bridge spanning the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed early Saturday morning, causing portions of a freight train carrying hazardous materials to plunge into the rushing water below. The train cars were transporting hot asphalt and molten sulfur, according to Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services. Drinking water intakes downstream were shut down as officials assessed the potential danger following the accident at 6 a.m. An Associated Press reporter on the scene observed a yellow substance leaking from some of the tank cars.

David Stamey, the chief of emergency services for Stillwater County, assured that there was no immediate danger for the crews working at the site, as the hazardous material was being diluted by the swollen river. Three asphalt cars and four sulfur cars were submerged in the river. Fortunately, the train crew was unharmed, and no injuries were reported, stated Montana Rail Link spokesman Andy Garland.

Railroad crews promptly arrived at the scene in Stillwater County, near the town of Columbus, approximately 40 miles west of Billings. The area is situated in a sparsely populated section of the Yellowstone River Valley, surrounded by ranches and farmland. The river flows away from Yellowstone National Park, which is about 110 miles southwest.

Garland emphasized the commitment to addressing any potential impacts resulting from the incident and understanding the reasons behind the bridge collapse. In addition to the train derailment, the collapse also severed a fiber-optic cable that provided internet service to numerous customers in the state, causing connectivity issues for Global Net users.

Neighboring Yellowstone County officials implemented emergency measures at water treatment plants due to the potential hazardous material spill and urged residents to conserve water. The cause of the bridge collapse is currently under investigation. While the river had experienced heavy rains recently, it remains unclear whether this was a contributing factor.

The Yellowstone River faced record flooding in 2022, resulting in extensive damage to Yellowstone National Park and nearby towns in Montana. Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor from the University of California Berkeley, who has analyzed numerous major disasters, suggested that repeated years of heavy river flows could have played a role in the collapse. Bea explained that the high water flow exerts significant forces on the pier and river bottom, potentially causing erosion or scour that weakens the foundation and increases the likelihood of a structural failure.

The Twin Bridges, consisting of an old highway bridge parallel to the railroad bridge, were removed in 2021 after the Montana Department of Transportation deemed them at risk of collapsing. The construction date and last inspection of the railroad bridge remain unknown.

Investigators will examine the bridge components for wear, rust, and maintenance records, according to Bea. Federal Railroad Administration officials are collaborating with local authorities at the scene. The agency stated that it would review recent bridge inspection reports to ensure compliance with federal Bridge Safety Standards, emphasizing that bridge owners are responsible for inspections.

To prevent the contents of the tank cars from reaching nearby farmland, Kelly Hitchcock of the Columbus Water Users shut off the flow of river water into an irrigation ditch downstream from the collapsed bridge. The Stillwater County Sheriff’s Office alerted the group about the collapse on Saturday morning.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency noted that sulfur is a common element used as a fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide.

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This article includes information from an Associated Press report by Gene Johnson in Seattle.

How is the potential environmental impact being addressed following the bridge collapse and hazardous material spill

Prior to the collapse, it is unclear if that was a contributing factor.

Early Saturday morning, a bridge spanning the Yellowstone River in Montana collapsed, leading to several freight train cars carrying hazardous materials to fall into the river. The tank cars were transporting hot asphalt and molten sulfur, which caused concern for potential environmental impact. As a precaution, drinking water intakes downstream were shut down while authorities assessed the situation.

According to David Stamey, the chief of emergency services for Stillwater County, there was no immediate danger to the crews working at the site. The hazardous materials were being diluted by the swollen river, which helped mitigate the risk. Thankfully, the train crew was unharmed and no injuries were reported.

Railroad crews promptly responded to the scene, located in Stillwater County near Columbus, to assess and address the situation. The area is relatively uninhabited, surrounded by ranches and farmland. It is situated quite a distance from Yellowstone National Park.

Andy Garland, a spokesman for Montana Rail Link, emphasized their commitment to addressing any potential impacts resulting from the incident and understanding the cause of the bridge collapse. The collapse not only led to the train derailment but also affected internet connectivity for Global Net users, as a fiber-optic cable was severed.

Neighboring Yellowstone County officials implemented emergency measures at water treatment plants due to concerns of a hazardous material spill. Residents were urged to conserve water while authorities worked to mitigate any environmental impact. The cause of the bridge collapse is currently under investigation, with heavy rain being a possible contributing factor.