Illinois 83 reopened to traffic
BY STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com August 30, 2012 1:58PM
Workers continue repairing the ruptured jet fuel line along Rt. 83 in Palos Park, Illinois, Tuesday, August 28, 2012. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 1, 2012 5:49PM
Illinois 83 reopened to traffic about 5 p.m. Friday, the Illinois Department of Transportation said.
Officials had been hopeful it would be open by noon, but hauling away tainted soil after a fuel leak caused a delay, Palos Park Village Manager Rick Boehm said. The road had been closed from LaGrange Road to Southwest Highway since Monday because of a leak in a jet fuel pipeline.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling between South Highwood Drive and South 86th Avenue, as work crews will remain in the area, according to the West Shore Pipe Line Co.
The pipeline company continues to work closely with authorities to address the impacts of the spill, the company said. Crews continue to work to remove impacted soil, install remediation wells and conduct ongoing testing of air, soil and water quality, it said. Testing has not indicated any risk to the public at this time, it said.
The section of pipe that burst was removed and was to be studied to determine the cause of the incident, said Patrick Hodgins, director of health, safety, security and environmental for the West Shore Pipe Line Co., which owns the pipeline.
He said the investigation could take up to four weeks.
