Conway school decides to close as crews clean up leaking pipeline

CONWAY, Wash. — Both east and westbound lanes on State Route 534 have been closed at Conway Hill Road near milepost one while crews clean up fuel from a leaking pipeline. But Washington State Patrol expects to open one lane of Highway 534, according to a release from the Department of Ecology,

WSP learned about the leak near the Conway Elementary School around 7 a.m., according to Trooper Kelsey Harding. WSP said, that because of the leak, the Conway K-8 school will be closed Monday.

The Department of Ecology is currently leading the cleanup effort.

“The smell of gasoline is very strong and they have boats and ecology booms in the water,” said an anonymous tipper. “It has made it through the ground and is flowing into the nearby slough and to the bay.”

Officials said they don’t know when the cleanup will be finished.

“An air monitoring network has been set up to continually evaluate public health and safety,” said the Department of Ecology. “Current air quality monitoring show no levels that are a public health concern, but nearby residents may notice an odor of gasoline.”

The department also said if anyone sees an animal in distress, they are encouraged to call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline Number: 1-800-22-BIRDS.

©2023 Cox Media Group