Transportation of Contaminated Debris
As the demolition of the West Calumet Housing Development in East Chicago continues, the location of the landfill where the rubble is being dumped is being questioned. Amereco, the contractor for the demolition, selected two landfills for the debris: one in Lowell, IN, for dumping any material that has not touched the contaminated ground; the other at a site which has been designated to receive toxic materials, further away in Newton County. A Lowell state representative has voiced doubt about the safety of using the site in his county and has requested to have the landfill changed.
However, John Blosky who is overseeing the demolition appears to be taking all possible care to ensure that the site does not contaminate any of the surrounding area or any areas in which the toxic materials are transported and dumped. All materials to be transported to the nontoxic site are checked before they are loaded into the trucks for any debris that has touched the contaminated soil to ensure it is not included in the load. In addition, trucks have covers that are placed over the debris so the dust does not blow into the air during transport.
Finally, before any truck leaves the site, it must go through a bath that cleans off residue toxic dust.
Tires are run over a belt that washes between the tracks.
I have been impressed with the amount of preventative care that is being taken to prevent pollution during demolition and transport.
This Week’s Demolition Progress
The back section of the development is completely demolished and the rubble has been cleaned out.
The next project being tackled is a three story apartment building
where the grapple’s maw is busy gnawing at the walls and roof.
