Tanker crash sends oil into Provo River as snow and ice create hazards


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PROVO — SALT LAKE CITY — More than 200 accidents were reported along the Wasatch Front Saturday, including an oil tanker crash that closed Provo Canyon and sent oil into the Provo River.

No fatalities were reported as of Saturday evening, but UDOT spokesman John Gleason said a double oil tanker crashed on U.S. 189 near Vivian Park in Provo Canyon and shut down traffic in both directions since 10 a.m.

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, westbound lanes opened before 6 p.m. and the area was cleared around 7:45 p.m..

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the semi was hauling two tankers filled with crude oil. It was traveling westbound when it hit a patch of slush, crashed into the median barrier and rolled across all eastbound and westbound lanes

The front tank, holding approximately 4,500 gallons of oil, ruptured and spilled most of its contents. UHP said it's possible 1,000 gallons of crude oil spilled in the river, but "Utah government agencies expect there will be no impacts to drinking water, as the intakes for the Don A. Christiansen Water Treatment plant in Orem were closed before the crude oil could reach it," according to a UHP release detailing the damage.

No impacts are expected on water customers. Central Utah Water Conservancy District crews deployed absorbent booms to contain the spill. It remained unclear what the impacts will be on wildlife, Envirocare cleanup crews responded.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has a number of concerns about the spill, including any impacts to the fish and other aquatic life living in the river, birds living along the Provo River, containing the spill before it gets to Utah Lake and monitoring wildlife impacts during the next few days, according to the Utah Division of Emergency Management.

The snowy, slick conditions brought accident reports throughout the day, with 13 incidents resulting in injuries.

"A lot of times it's a little deceiving because it doesn't look like there's a lot of snow out there," Gleason said. "But with temperatures as cold as they've been any moisture instantly freezes and makes for extremely slick conditions."

Trooper Evan Kirby said southbound I-15 was shut down at the Davis-Salt Lake County line for about an hour earlier in the day.

Among the troubles Saturday:

• Road closures started with a crash at 7 a.m. at the eastbound I-80 on-ramp to S.R. 201. It took two hours to clear.

• Multiple slide-offs and crashes shut down I-80 eastbound at mile post 99, Gleason said.

• Southbound I-15 was shut down at the I-215 North interchange and I-80 eastbound on-ramp at 1300 East in Salt Lake City were closed for more than an hour due to crashes, Gleason said.

Gleason said that UDOT plows will be out over the weekend to salt the roads to remove black ice but recommended caution through the weekend as cold temperatures are expected to continue Sunday.

Contributing: Megan Marsden Christensen

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