Crews Begin Site Work at Tremont City Barrel Fill

Construction is underway to secure the site containing millions of gallons of potentially toxic waste.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Construction

A newly graded dirt and gravel road runs alongside a chain-link security fence at an industrial construction site. — Construction crews in Springfield have initiated preliminary site work at the Tremont City Barrel Fill, including road and perimeter security installations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust local cleanup efforts to fully protect your area's drinking water from legacy waste?

Workers in Springfield have begun preliminary site preparations at the Tremont City Barrel Fill. The project involves building a permanent road, erecting a security fence, and pouring concrete slabs for future remediation buildings.

Why it matters

The site holds millions of gallons of potentially toxic waste near an aquifer serving tens of thousands of residents. Securing the perimeter and preparing infrastructure is a critical step in long-term cleanup efforts.

The Tremont City Barrel Fill site holds millions of gallons of potentially toxic waste. Cleanup operations are currently focused on infrastructure that has been pending since Larry Ricketts first became involved with the site in 1984.

The players

Larry Ricketts

He is a local official who has been involved with the oversight of the Tremont City Barrel Fill since 1984.

The details

Crews are actively constructing a permanent road and installing a fence to restrict access to the hazardous area. Concurrently, workers are pouring concrete slabs that will serve as the foundation for necessary remediation structures.

1984: Larry Ricketts began his long-term involvement with the site.
October 20, 2026: Larry Ricketts provided statements regarding the start of work.
Over the next few weeks: Construction of the road, fence, and slabs will continue.

Market Landscape

This activity marks a major transition from planning to active site remediation at the Tremont City Barrel Fill cleanup project. It follows decades of regulatory oversight and shifts the site from a dormant liability toward a managed cleanup operation.

Residents should be aware of increased construction traffic and activity in the area surrounding the site over the next few weeks. These infrastructure improvements are designed to secure the local aquifer, which serves as a primary drinking water source for the community.

The takeaway

Securing contaminated industrial sites is a complex process that relies on careful site preparation and physical infrastructure. Residents living near major waste sites should remain informed about project milestones as remediation progress continues.