Equilon Enterprises LLC dba Shell Oil Products US (Shell) is remediating soils impacted by its former operations at 85 Willow Street (Block 24.03, Lot 35) in East Rutherford.
The community is encouraged to contact us with any questions or concerns about the project. Please call our Project Information Line: (201) 494-4886 or email us at comments@willowstreetproject.com. Please check our project website www.willowstreetproject.com for updates and answers to frequently asked questions.
Anticipated work to be performed: Week of August 14
- Continue removing asphalt from excavation area.
- Continue soil excavation.
- Remove excavated soil to a licensed facility and replace it with certified clean fill.
- Manage dust through water misting and placing tarps on soil stockpiles. Trucks will be tarped before exiting the site.
- As necessary, remove water, treat it and discharge to the sanitary sewers with the approval of the Bergen County Utilities Authority in accordance with NJDEP approved limits.
- East Rutherford Police will provide traffic control support as needed.
- Perform continuous perimeter air monitoring during soil disturbance work.
- Perform vibration monitoring between the area of active excavation and the closest structures.
- Continue to mobilize equipment and materials to site as needed.
Work completed: Week of August 7
- On Sunday, August 6th, consultants performed the regularly scheduled 6-day air sampling as part of the air monitoring plan. Air samples are collected every six days to account for conditions both on work days and weekends. Regular work resumed on Monday, August 7th.
- No work was performed on Tuesday, August 8th following a storm.
- Performed Shell onsite review of project.
- Performed video inspection of 14-inch pipe found onsite for future planning with PSE&G approval. The inspection confirmed there is no tar in the pipe.
- Identified 36-inch terra cotta pipe while excavating and notified borough engineer’s representative and PSE&G.
- Continued dewatering and treatment of water as necessary. Began discharge of treated water to sanitary sewers with the approval of the Bergen County Utilities Authority in accordance with NJDEP approved limits.
- Used vacuum truck to remove oily water for proper disposal.
- Secured off-site electrical pole to ensure protection during excavation.
- Removed asphalt from excavation area.
- Continued soil excavation.
- Mixed soils in preparation for removal.
- Managed dust with water misting and tarping.
- Managed odors with foam and soil cover, as needed.
- Sampled excavated areas to confirm remediation objectives were met.
- Backfilled completed areas with clean fill.
- Plastic sheeting installed along site perimeter in completed areas to create visible boundary with adjacent properties.
- Performed continuous perimeter air monitoring during soil disturbance work.
- Performed vibration monitoring between the area of active excavation and the closest structures.
- Continued to mobilize equipment and materials to site as needed.
Community Outreach
- Issued 9th weekly project update to Borough of East Rutherford, county health officials, and nearby property owners.
- Held 8th weekly call with Beckmeyer Engineering to ensure an open line of communication with the Borough and coordinate as necessary.
- Continued to provide ongoing updates to adjacent property owners about upcoming work.
- With permission of the police department, signs are posted indicated there is No Parking between 6 am and 6 pm weekdays in front of 85 Willow Street for the safety of trucks and private vehicles.
Project Background
In late June 2023, work began to prepare the property for remediation. Remediation work began in early July. All onsite remediation work is expected to be completed in September. Daily construction schedules can be impacted by many factors, including weather.
The purpose of the remediation is to remove and replace onsite impacted soils with clean fill between 1 and 13 feet below ground surface. Approximately 16,000 cubic yards of soil will be removed. Impacted soils will be transported offsite to a licensed facility for beneficial reuse. To access these soils safely, some trees located in the neighboring properties and other vegetation were removed with the permission of the respective property owners.
For restoration, onsite areas will be backfilled with stone to original grade. Off-site areas impacted by the soil investigation will be restored to their original condition in coordination with property owners and in compliance with all applicable Borough of East Rutherford ordinances.
All work is being performed in accordance with the guidance and regulations of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bergen County and Borough of East Rutherford permit requirements, and under the oversight of the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) of record.