Water being tested where freight train carrying hazardous material plunged into Yellowstone River

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Water quality testing is underway in the Yellowstone River following a train accident that resulted in hazardous materials being spilled into the river. The incident occurred when several train cars carrying hot asphalt and molten sulfur crashed into the water after a bridge collapse near Columbus, Montana. The affected area, located approximately 40 miles west of Billings, is a sparsely populated region surrounded by ranches and farmland.

Montana Rail Link, the train operator, is collaborating with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to manage the cleanup, removal, and restoration efforts. Andy Garland, a spokesperson for Montana Rail Link, confirmed that water testing began on Saturday and will continue while crews work on removing the damaged cars.

The exact amount of spilled cargo and the potential risks to the river’s ecosystem and those who depend on it for drinking water and irrigation are still unknown. David Samey, the head of Stillwater County Disaster and Emergency Services, mentioned that water testing is being conducted by the EPA and state regulators to assess the situation.

Although the severity of the incident necessitates careful consideration of the car removal process due to extensive damage, Garland stated that hot asphalt and molten sulfur solidify quickly when in contact with water. Based on modeling, it is believed that these substances are unlikely to travel far downstream.

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 environmental impact, the bridge collapse also disrupted internet service for many customers in the state, as a fiber-optic cable providing high-speed internet was damaged.

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

Robert Bea, a retired engineering professor from the University of California Berkeley, suggested that the repeated years of heavy river flows could have contributed to the bridge collapse. He explained that the high water flow exerts substantial forces on the bridge piers and riverbed, potentially leading to erosion or scour and compromising the foundation’s support.

The Twin Bridges, comprising the railroad bridge and an adjacent old highway bridge, underwent changes in recent years. The highway bridge was removed in 2021 due to an imminent risk of collapse, while the railroad bridge is inspected semiannually, with the most recent inspection conducted in May.

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

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• Freight train carrying hot asphalt, molten sulfur plunges into Yellowstone River as bridge fails
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• Federal Railroad Administration
• Montana Rail Link
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)