ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Contractors for CSX Transportation are wrapping up an excavation off River Street in Charlotte that was prompted by a Dec. 23, 2001, train derailment and chemical spill, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.
Workers are taking down fencing and dismantling a field trailer this week. The digging has stopped, but the work of investigating the site has not, said CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan. “We’re done with the interim physical process. But the process goes on. We’re still very involved and engaged.”
In early 2003, he said, CSX will work with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and others to design future monitoring and soil testing at the site.
One issue remains: sediments in the Genesee River that are still contaminated by methylene chloride, one of the spilled chemicals. They are dissipating naturally, said CSX, and excavation would be a mistake. City officials disagree, Sullivan said.
CSX officials — as they do on the first Monday of each month — will meet with the Charlotte Neighborhood Association on Dec. 2.