GLEN GARDNER BOROUGH, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A section of Route 31 near the Glen Gardner and Hampton borough border was closed for several hours Wednesday morning after construction equipment damaged a radiological testing device being used during roadway work, officials said.
According to the Glen Gardner Fire Company, Hunterdon County 911 Communications received a report of a hazardous materials incident involving a radiological device at approximately 6:06 a.m. near Route 31 and Main Street.
Firefighters responded to the scene, where Earle Contractors crews were conducting paving operations when a steam roller ran over a soil density and moisture gauge used in roadway construction and environmental testing, authorities said.
Officials said the device was compromised in the incident and became lodged beneath the steam roller, but no radioactive material was released.
Hazardous materials response teams from Hunterdon County, the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection responded and coordinated efforts to secure the area and safely remove the device.
Authorities established an isolation zone around the equipment after detecting radiation levels associated with the device itself. Officials emphasized that no spill or radiological release occurred, there was no soil contamination and there was no danger to the public.
All units cleared the scene and Route 31 reopened at approximately 11 a.m., officials said.
Incident coordination included representatives from the Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety’s Office of Emergency Management, the Hunterdon County Health Department, the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
Glen Gardner Mayor Mattias Schroeter said in a Facebook post Wednesday morning that there was “no imminent threat” to the public while crews worked to remove the damaged device.
