Turnpike Road has been closed since Tuesday
/ photo by Alex Dunbar
AURELIUS, CAYUGA COUNTY -- Three days after a massive gasoline spill, the street where it happened is finally back open.
Cayuga County Sheriff's deputies say Turnpike Road in Aurelius opened at four o'clock Friday afternoon. It closed at around 10:30 Tuesday morning when a farmer accidentally hit a fuel pipeline near Townsend Road. Thousands of gallons of gasoline spilled out, pooling several inches deep in some cases.
Contractors from Buckeye Partners, the operators of the pipeline, are still in the area continuing repairs and remediation. The company is asking that no unauthorized people enter the private property or work areas.
The Cayuga County Health Department is continuing to test well water at six homes in the area. There were concerns that gas may have gotten into the water. Preliminary tests show no contamination, but health officials advise anyone who may be concerned to drink bottled water instead.
