Watch for crews on Hwy. 22E, drivers urged

Travelers on Oregon Highway 22E east of Idanha are being asked to drive carefully and watch for crews near the site of the recent fuel tanker crash.

While the repaired road reopened on Thursday, cleanup work and environmental monitoring will continue, ODOT officials said Friday.

“Workers appreciate travelers slowing down and being aware for everyone’s safety, the announcement said.

The crash resulted in a large fire and a massive spill of over 11,000 gallons of gasoline onto the road, into the road bed, along the side of the road, and into the North Santiam River.

Over 300 feet of roadway was impacted in a narrow and hilly section of the Santiam Canyon. Crews worked as fast as possible, under extreme weather conditions, to get the road open.

Before opening the road, safety of the roadway had to be ensured by replacing the asphalt and reinstalling guardrail.

“ODOT appreciates everyone’s patience,” the agency said, asking all to “drive safely.”