Project News and Updates

Hard Hat

Check this page periodically for progress reports, photos, and other news.
Progress Reports   |   Project Timeline   |   Site Photos



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Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery

The U.S. EPA has developed a website to address the environmental impacts of Hurricane Sandy. The Hurricane Sandy Response and Recovery site provides:

-Cleanup Information
-Mold, Flooding, and Hazardous Waste Fact Sheets
-Drinking Water Safety Tips
-Frequently Asked Questions

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection also has a response site for New Jersey residents.

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Hurricane Sandy Update

Workers are assessing the impacts from Hurricane Sandy at the Phase I Work Area and the Upland Processing Facility. Although there was some wind and water damage to construction equipment on site, the storm surge did not damage the shoreline at the site and there were no injuries or project-related environmental impacts.

Prior to the storm, crews completed removal of the sheetpile enclosure at the Phase I Work Area and removed equipment, inspected the existing bulkhead wall, and reinstalled a chain-link fence along the Passaic River as a part of demobilization activities. Workers also continued demobilization at the Upland Processing Facility by dismantling and removing equipment. These activities will continue and be completed after conditions in the area improve.

On behalf of the project teams and all our partners, our thoughts turn to those in the region most affected by the storm and we wish all a safe and rapid recovery.

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Backfill Activities Complete at Phase I Work Area

Clean backfill from a local supplier has been placed within the enclosure at the Phase I Work Area. This mixture of sand and gravel replaces approximately 40,000 cubic yards of removed material. The top layer consists of coarser material that will better withstand the potential erosive forces of the river. With the backfill in place, workers are currently engaged in demobilizing barges and removing the sheet pile enclosure from the Passaic River.

At the Upland Processing Facility, workers are continuing their efforts to demobilize water treatment and sediment processing equipment.

Removal of the sheet pile enclosure and demobilization activities at the Phase I Work Area and the Upland Processing Facility are expected to be complete by
October 31, 2012, which is considerably ahead of schedule.

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Removal Activities Wrap Up at Phase I Work Area

Workers at the Phase I Work Area are focused on replacing the 40,000 cubic yards of removed material with clean backfill after finishing removal activities at the end of Spring 2012. Once the sheet-pile enclosure is backfilled with materials from a local supplier, workers will begin to disassemble the structure.

At the Upland Processing Facility, workers are cleaning water treatment and sediment processing equipment in preparation for equipment removal.

To find out more about the current status of backfill activities, enclosure removal, and demobilization from the Upland Processing Facility, please visit the Project Timeline.

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Sweet Rewards for Safe Performance

Lead Health & Safety Officer Zach McCoy emphasizes a focus on safety throughout the Phase I Removal Action project. A light-hearted example is how Zach (pictured here) hands out ice cream cone stickers to encourage and reward safety behavior as part of the “I Scream for Safety” program. The stickers adorn hard hats and parking passes as a visual reminder about safety and as a fun and effective way to promote teamwork in creating a safe workplace.

The program has helped maintain a fantastic health and safety record for the site, with over 114,000 worker hours performed without a major injury through completion of dredging activities. The team was recently rewarded by a visit from an ice cream truck as a sweet reward for such a strong record.

Each of the three primary subcontractors at the site have similar behavior-based programs, all of which help promote safety, maintain compliance, and foster an overall culture of safety on the project.

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Removal Activities Begin at the Phase I Work Area

Workers are engaged in removal activities at the Phase I Removal Area. Over the next few months, about 40,000 cubic yards of targeted material will be removed from the steel enclosure in the Passaic River. At the Upland Processing Facility, water is being treated and dredged materials are being processed and prepared for transport to a licensed disposal facility.

Workers at the site are monitoring air, water, and many other quality of life conditions. For more information on current monitoring activities at the Phase I Work Area and the Upland Processing Facility, please read about the quality of life monitoring and construction quality assurance (QA) monitoring.



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Construction Continues at the Phase I Work Area

Workers are completing construction on the final wall of the enclosure at the Phase I Removal Area. Next, measures will be implemented to protect the enclosure during the removal process. At the Upland Processing Facility, tests are being performed on newly installed water treatment equipment. Processing equipment installation is also underway at the Upland Processing Facility. For more information on current activities at the Phase I Work Area and the Upland Processing Facility, please read the latest Progress Report, or view the latest photos.

 

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U.S. EPA Launches Phase I Removal Actions

Construction of the enclosure at the Phase I Removal Area on the Passaic River is officially underway, as announced by U.S. EPA on October 31, 2011. After these construction activities are complete, approximately 40,000 cubic yards of targeted material will be removed from the river directly in front of the Diamond Alkali Superfund site. Read about this announcement at the U.S. EPA website.