Following a bridge collapse in Montana, several train cars plunged into the Yellowstone River, raising concerns about potential hazardous material contamination. Initial water and air quality tests, however, have not revealed any immediate danger to the public. The train was transporting hot asphalt and molten sulfur, substances that solidify upon contact with water. While these materials remain submerged, authorities are continuously monitoring the situation and coordinating cleanup efforts.

The incident occurred near Columbus, Montana, a sparsely populated area along the Yellowstone River. Although the derailed cars remain in the river, preliminary water tests have not detected petroleum hydrocarbons from the asphalt or sulfur, according to a Montana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson. Both substances are insoluble in water, limiting their potential spread. Air quality monitoring has also not detected any toxic gases.

Water quality testing is ongoing under the supervision of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with contractors for Montana Rail Link, the train's operator, conducting the tests. The EPA has confirmed no detection of toxic gases in the air downwind from the derailment. While the exact quantity of spilled cargo remains unknown, modeling suggests the solidified asphalt and sulfur are unlikely to travel far downstream.

The extensive damage to the train cars complicates their removal, and crews are still determining the best approach. The Federal Railroad Administration is investigating the cause of the derailment. In addition to the train derailment, the bridge collapse also severed a fiber-optic cable, disrupting internet service for many customers.

This incident follows the record flooding of the Yellowstone River in 2022, which caused significant damage to Yellowstone National Park and nearby Montana towns. While the current derailment location is upstream from the park, the previous flooding highlights the potential vulnerability of infrastructure in the region. Experts suggest that repeated high water flows could have contributed to the bridge collapse by eroding its foundation. The railroad bridge, inspected twice a year, had its most recent inspection in May. Federal authorities will review these inspection reports for compliance with safety standards.

Several train cars are immersed in the Yellowstone River near Columbus, Montana, on June 24, 2023, after a bridge collapsed overnight. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)