Hancock Fire Department: Fuel spill cleanup ongoing; US-41 may reopen Saturday, June 26

This drone photo of the fuel spill remediation scene at Santori's Corner is from Thursday night, June 24. (Photo courtesy Superior Search and Rescue via City of Hancock Facebook page)

HANCOCK --  The Hancock Fire Department today, Friday, June 25, sent this update on the cleanup of the fuel spill that occurred on Thursday at Santori's Corner in Hancock:

Highway 41 at the scene of the spill is being remediated and replaced today. It is still hoped the road will reopen Saturday. Access to The Tire Shop has been restored. Customers can access it through North Ethel Avenue.

Drinking water has been and continues to be safe.

Detours remain in place. As a reminder, through traffic is requested to use alternative routes, with northbound traffic asked to follow M-203 toward McLain State Park and southbound traffic asked to take Airport Park Road through Dollar Bay. This is especially true for tractor trailers. Local traffic is open, and White Street in Hancock is currently open to two-way traffic because of the incident.

Beaches along the Portage Lake Shipping Canal remain closed until further notice.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible. 

The next update will likely come when the road is opened.

Editor's Note: 

For previous updates see our June 24 articles:

UPDATE: Hancock Fire Department offers update on June 24 fuel spill on US-41

and Health Department issues Public Health Advisory, Precautionary Canal and Beach Closure due to fuel spill discharge into Portage Canal.