September 18, 2003

IDLEWILD ROAD TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR FUEL CLEANUP

Mecklenburg County Is Monitoring Soil Cleanup and Disposal

Charlotte, NC - The Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal's Office says Idlewild Road will remain CLOSED until further notice while environmental crews continue to clean up after a fuel spill. Idlewild Road is closed in both directions in the 11800 block - between Rice Road and Mint Hill Elementary School.

About 3,800 gallons of fuel spilled on September 17 from an overturned tanker truck. Contractors retained by Kenan Transport Company are working to remove the contaminated soil. The removal process is taking longer than anticipated because of a variety of underground water, gas and fiber optic lines that crews must take extra care to avoid.

Idlewild Road will be available to local residents, but all other motorists are asked to take Lebanon Road or Independence Boulevard as alternate routes. Crews on the scene will also continue to work with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to facilitate traffic in and out of Mint Hill Middle School.

FOR UPDATES: For continuing updates on the status of Idlewild Road, media can contact Sgt. Marty Helms with the Matthews Police Department at 704-412-0190.

Environmental regulators from Mecklenburg County are also on the scene monitoring the cleanup. "We're here to look after the environmental interests of the community," says Chris Elmore of the County's Water Quality Program. "We want to make sure the soil is removed as expediently as possible and disposed of properly." Staff members from the County's Groundwater Program are also monitoring nearby drinking water wells, although they don't expect any impact from the spill.