Truck spills diesel from Philomath to I-5
Crews from Oregon Department of Transportation worked Thursday to cover spilled fuel from a dump truck that dribbled diesel through Philomath and Corvallis on Highway 20 and 34.
The truck lost its fuel cap near the junction of Highway 20 and 34 in Philomath and sloshed fuel as at traveled toward I-5. ODOT enforcement officers were able to pull over the truck before it reached the inter-state.
Sanding trucks were out covering the spill, which made roads slick from Philomath through Corvallis. No accidents were reported in connection with the spill.
An ODOT spokesman said the total fuel spilled was just a few gallons total, spread over a number of miles of roadway. A hazardous materials crew was not needed to assist in the cleanup effort.
— Gazette-Times
Well, that would explain why Hwy 34 was sanded this morning and why the tires of the car in front of me spun out a little when it started to cross 34 on to Western. At the time, I figured it was due to icy conditions, so I rode a little more cautiously than normal and kept to the well-traveled wheel ruts. I didn’t smell anything out of the ordinary either. Maybe the sand was enough to soak it up or there just wasn’t enough spillage. Either way, thanks to ODOT for the cleanup and to my boss for allowing me to come in at 9am and miss the typical 8am rush hour shenanigans.
It’s a good day when I hop off the bike and notice I’m covered in a thin coat of frost.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I came across this last summer. As I got on the freeway I could smell diesel. Looking at the road I was sure that the center lane had a two foot wide strip of diesel so I avoided crossing it. Several miles down the road I come up on the trucker leaking the fuel. He had his flashers on because he was driving so slow. I pointed to the leak and the driver just nodded his head. That’s right this jerk know he was spraying diesel fuel all over the road but didn’t care. Needless to say this was a very dangerous situation. To this day the mark is still on the asphalt
fasthair
Spilled diesel was the cause of the last “unsettling” mishap that I had about twenty years ago.
I was making a broad left hand turn at a four lane intersection on my FZR400, when for no apparent reason, my front tire went out from underneath me. The ensuing low-side get off had me sliding on my left shoulder, head and back and stopping feet first at the curbside. It wasn’t until after I had gathered my wits and walked back to where I went down that I realized (By kneeling down and smelling the fuel) that spilled diesel was the culprit. It was nearly invisible against the asphalt.
Two lessons were learned that day on my way to class. 1. Watch closely for that stuff that may have spilled out in the middle of the intersection, it can be difficult to see! and 2, Wear the proper gear. I was dressed in blue jeans and a lambskin Aviators jacket thinking that would be plenty. I still have a faint scar on my left shoulder and buttock from that 20 m.p.h. get off. Picking asphalt pebbles out from under your skin sucks! Trust me. That incident is what made me an A.T.G.A.T.T. die-hard from then on.
Great post, glad you brought this up.
Ride Well
E.T.
@fasthair: Sounds like a similar situation here, except ODOT and the cops got to this guy first.
@Earl: I have to admit that worries over hidden dangers like diesel, fine sand, deer, etc. do linger in the back of my mind. As much as I try to ride skillfully and defensively, there are just certain situations that I know I have very little control over. Viva ATGATT!