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Highway closures still in effect after material spill near Breton

Drayton Valley, AB, Canada / Big West Country 92.9 FM
Jan 26, 2024 | 2:04 PM
Highway closures still in effect after material spill near Breton

(Double S Ranch Cattle Co.)



Sections of Highways 20 and 39, east of Drayton Valley, remain closed Friday due to a material spill Thursday night.

According to 511 Alberta, and multiple municipalities affected, Highway 20 is closed from Highway 39 to Township Road 470, with Highway 39 also closed from Highway 20 to Highway 770. RCMP continue to assist Alberta Sheriffs with traffic control in the affected areas.

Mounties say they were informed that the substance spilled is Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO). According to industry officials, the product is flammable when heated to high temperatures. If small amounts of the product is aspirated into the lungs, it may cause mild to severe pulmonary injury. This product may also be irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

(Double S Ranch Cattle Co.)

Residents at a ranch along Highway 20, have reportedly been told it could be days before they’re able to leave their residence while the cleanup continues.

Officials with the Village of Breton, meantime, issued a statement on their Facebook page Thursday night, noting the two north entrances to the Village by the Esso and by the water tower are also closed. However, the Village of Breton can still be accessed from the east on Highway 616, same if accessing Drayton Valley. Village officials also say the intersection at Highway 616 and Highway 20 will be remaining open for east and west bound traffic only. Staff with Suds Bucket and Car Wash in Breton say they are closed until further notice.

Village officials say the material that has been spilled cannot get into the Village sewer system. In addition to Brazeau County public works crews assisting with the cleanup, Village of Breton public works are working to close off drains on the road so that with the warmer weather this weekend, the substance doesn’t drain in to those drains. Also, they will be monitored all weekend to ensure no flooding takes place and deal with any issues that may start to develop. According to the Village, public works will also be doing snow removal/maintenance on roads to help ensure that any of the substance in the snow doesn’t make it to the drains. Residents are asked to give crews space and have patience if you end up being held up due to these activities.

The Village says a wash station is going to be set up at the Breton waste transfer site. This is the one in the Village, not the one on Hwy 616. Officials say there will be water trucks, vac trucks on site to deal with the cleaning of vehicles of all sizes that were exposed to the spill. The vehicles are expected to pull onto a containment mat to keep the waste water from the cleaning, off of the ground and sucked up by the vac trucks. Details are still being worked out as to when this will be set up. As soon as this is ready to start, the Village says it will be placing signs at the car wash in Breton, on social media, and at various business around town.

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