'Hard closure' in effect for SR 264 as fuel cleanup continues

Photo by George Hardeen
Road crews were hard at work on SR 264 July 7 cleaning up the fuel spill.

Photo by George Hardeen Road crews were hard at work on SR 264 July 7 cleaning up the fuel spill.

KYKOTSMOVI -- A "hard closure" of SR 264 went into effect Sunday, July 10 and will continue until further notice, according to officials in the Office of the Hopi Chairman Wayne Taylor.

This means that the road will be completely closed to allow safe, continued clean up of a fuel spill affecting a stretch of highway between mileposts 323 and 325 on SR 264 near the Hopi villages of Moencopi.

Officials expect the closure to last anywhere between one to three weeks. In the interim, motorists should use alternate routes Hwy. 87 or Hwy. 89.

On June 19, a fuel truck overturned spilling 3,800 gallons of gasoline requiring an immediate cleanup effort. In accordance with EPA standards, hazardous material crews are currently removing the contaminated soil and transporting it to an approved disposal facility.

Safety concerns for the residents of the area require restrictions of traffic allowing only vehicles with permits through.

To aid in traffic flow reduction, permits will be issued to residents of Coalmine Chapter, Lower and Upper Moencopi Villages, and employees who commute to and from the area. Permits may be picked up at the following locations:

¥ Coalmine Residents - Coalmine Chapter

¥ Lower Moencopi Village Farmer/Ranchers/residents- Community Service Administrator (CSA) office

¥ Upper Moencopi Village Farmers/Ranchers/residents- Community Service Administrator (CSA) office

¥ Employees who commute for work - Tribal Secretary's Office

Motorists who choose to take non-State routes will do so at their own risk. Unauthorized traffic will be turned back. Only authorized state and emergency vehicles will be able to use the roads without permits.

For more information, please contact the following:

¥ Traffic issues- Chief William Vicente, Office of Hopi Range Enforcement, 928-734-7343

¥ Permit information- Office of the Tribal Secretary, 928-734-3132

Local residents needing more information on the cleanup status may contact the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) information number at 1-888-411-ROAD or 1-888-411-7623.

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