Freeport Road in Harmar reopens to traffic

After being closed for about a week and a half, Freeport Road reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Allegheny Valley Regional Emergency Management Agency coordinator Bruno Moretti said the road is restricted to one lane in each direction.

Moretti said there is still work to be done with removing the tank cars from the road, drilling and taking samples, and getting a barge to remove any hoppers remaining on the shoreline.

Keeping the road closed and everyone out of the area helped expedite the cleanup process, he said.

“It really helped us get it done quicker. We appreciate all their cooperation and patience,” Moretti said.

The road was closed because of a train derailment that occurred shortly before 4 p.m. May 26. Three people were hospitalized after a heavy-construction vehicle carrying stone collided with a Norfolk Southern train near the sewage treatment plant in Harmar.

All of the product that leaked remains contained in boom areas, Moretti said. The booms help to keep the distillate from flowing into the Allegheny River.

Traffic had been detoured to Powers Run Road/Fox Chapel Road on the O’Hara (downriver) side and to Guys Run Road on the Harmar side, according to PennDOT officials. Traffic crossing the Hulton Bridge from Oakmont had been directed toward O’Hara.

Harmar Supervisors Chairman Bob Seibert said the closure had been an inconvenience.

“It (the reopening) helps everyone,” he said. “It is a main artery into the township.”