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 September 4
- The site will be closed Labor Day, September 4. Work will resume on September 5.
- Continue removing asphalt from excavation area.
- Continue soil excavation.
- Properly abandon second artesian well found onsite according to the regulations of the NJDEP.
- Continue backfilling with certified clean fill following results of soil sampling.
- Transport excavated soil to a licensed facility. Trucks are tarped before exiting the site.
- East Rutherford Police will continue to provide traffic control support as needed.
- Manage dust through water misting and placing tarps on soil stockpiles.
- Continue dewatering and treatment of water, as necessary. Treated water is discharged to the sanitary sewer with the approval of the Bergen County Utilities Authority in accordance with NJDEP approved limits.
- 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 28
- Broke up concrete foundations uncovered below ground so it could be removed to a licensed facility.
- Discovered, investigated and properly abandoned an artesian well onsite according to the regulations of the NJDEP. The top of the well was discovered 6 feet below ground surface and was measured as 29 feet deep.
- Temporarily plugged a second artesian well until it can be properly abandoned. The second well was discovered 8 feet below ground surface.
- Installed visible barriers at the perimeter of any open work area to prevent birds from entering the excavated area.
- Continued dewatering and treatment of water. Treated water is discharged to the sanitary sewer with the approval of the Bergen County Utilities Authority in accordance with NJDEP approved limits.
- Removed asphalt from excavation area.
- Continued soil excavation.
- Mixed soils in preparation for removal.
- Sampled excavated areas to confirm remediation objectives were met.
- Backfilled completed areas with clean fill and compacted the completed areas using a vibratory roller.
- Transported impacted soil, asphalt and concrete by trucks covered with tarps to appropriate licensed facilities.
- Installed plastic sheeting 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
- Contacted property owner about investigation of offsite utilities.
- Issued 12th weekly project update to Borough of East Rutherford, county health officials, and nearby property owners.
- Held 11th weekly call with Beckmeyer Engineering to ensure an open line of communication with the Borough and coordinate as necessary.
- Notified adjacent neighbors of work to break up concrete and 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 October. 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.