Sticky situation: Truck spills roofing glue on Redmond roadway

By Andy Nystrom • February 21, 2017 11:30 am
Redmond firefighters survey the scene where 40-50 gallons of roofing glue spilled on a portion of Redmond Way this morning. Courtesy of the Redmond Police Department
Redmond firefighters survey the scene where 40-50 gallons of roofing glue spilled on a portion of Redmond Way this morning. Courtesy of the Redmond Police Department

Drivers were stuck in traffic on Tuesday morning when a truck spilled 40-50 gallons of roofing glue on westbound Redmond Way at Northeast 76th Street.

The Redmond Police Department (RPD) tweeted about the sticky situation at 10:45 a.m.

At about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, police opened one westbound lane — actually a left-turn lane temporarily used as a main lane — on Redmond Way. At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, all lanes were open, according to RPD public information officer Becky Range.

The truck’s huge containers of the glue were unsecured and “all went flying out” on the roadway, Range said.

“Cars were still coming and cars were driving through the glue,” said Range, noting that there were no injuries. “It kind of made a huge traffic issue, but it could have been worse.”

“The fire department quickly blocked drains, but the Department of Ecology is en route to take a look,” another police tweet read.

“It was quick thinking on their part,” Range said of the fire department’s actions.

Ecology’s Larry Altose said the city public works and fire crews placed sand and sorbents around the drain and installed storm drain shields. His staff observed no impacts to the storm drain.

“We appreciate the city’s response to protect the storm drain system and, in turn, the nearby creek,” Altose added.

Fire, Ecology and hazmat crews along with an environmental contractor cleaned up the mess. Scott McQuary of Redmond’s public works department and natural resources division said no spillage entered the drains or nearby Bear Creek.

McQuary said everyone put their heads together to devise a cleanup solution. The truck driver was required to hire an environmental cleanup contractor, who was soon on scene. They decided to let the substance solidify a little bit and then crews shoveled and scraped up the hardened glue. The truck driver was required to dispose of the material.

The truck remained on scene Tuesday and the driver was cited.

Drivers headed downtown were advised to use west State Route 520 as an alternate route, according to police. Police called Metro right away so they could figure out bus routes, and Range said the Washington State Department of Transportation helped in informing drivers about the scenario.