ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. -- It was once one of the most contaminated sites in the country. Now, five companies have agreed to pay for mercury clean up in Colonie and Guilderland.

The EPA has finalized a settlement with the Mercury Refining Company for cleanup along railroad avenue. The companies splitting the estimated $9 million costs include KeySpan Gas East Corporation, Energizer Battery, Union Carbide Corporation, Spectrum Brands and the Gillette Company.

The design work for that cleanup plan is underway and is expected to be completed by next spring.